Sources: Newcastle in Terem Moffi transfer mission after £20m Southampton bid rejected
Newcastle United scouts watched Lorient striker Terem Moffi in action against Monaco on Wednesday night, sources have told Football Insider.
The Nigerian goal machine scored his 11th Ligue 1 goal of the season in the 2-2 draw to become the joint second-highest scorer in the league.
Newcastle are assessing potential forward targets both for this month and in the summer, but face intense competition for Moffi.
Lorient are reluctant to lose the 23-year-old after rejecting what Football Insider has learned was a £20million bid from Southampton.
The forward is on the radar of multiple Premier League clubs with Everton, Aston Villa, West Ham, Leicester City and Bournemouth also regularly scouting him, including in midweek.
Moffi is no stranger to scoring in Ligue 1, having notched 34 goals and seven assists across 89 games since joining Lorient in 2020.
The seven-cap Nigeria international is under contract at the French club until June 2024.
Moffi's teammate, Dango Ouattara, is also coveted by Premier League sides in the January window.
Sources told this site on Thursday (12 January) that Bournemouth are in advanced talks to sign the winger - who is also wanted by Crystal Palace.
Cherries owner Bill Foley is reportedly close to buying a 33% stake in Lorient - a move which could affect Premier League clubs' pursuit of Moffi.
Newcastle are searching for more striking options as they prepare for European football next season.
The Magpies sit third in the table with Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak leading the line but are searching for extra firepower.