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Newcastle make approach for a third Premier League wide man - report
By Harry Sykes
Newcastle have turned their attention to a second Swansea wide man as they cast the net wide to land a new winger in the next week.
Sports site HITC claim the Magpies are weighing up various options across Europe although one new possibility is a little closer to home.
It is said that Newcastle have made an approach for Swansea’s Jefferson Montero in addition to his winger teammate Modou Barrow.
The north-east giants have been strongly linked with a number of wide men over the last week as Rafael Benitez aims to reinforce his squad before the 31 January cut-off.
HITC claim that Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend is the number one priority of Newcastle but they have experienced frustration during extensive talks with the Premier League club.
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Palace would prefer a permanent sale this month to enable them to use the money to strengthen other areas of the squad, while Newcastle want a loan ahead of a possible summer transfer.
As a result, the Championship leaders have made an enquiry for left winger Montero, who has been a fringe player at Swansea this season.
The Ecuador international, 27, has made just 12 appearances in all competitions, spread across 431 minutes of action.
He has spent a large portion of the campaign on the sidelines with two separate hamstring injuries but has a creditable record in the Premier League since moving to the Liberty Stadium in the summer of 2014.
Football Insider verdict:
Benitez is keen to recruit a pacy wide man and Montero would be an ideal January signing – if he can overcome the injuries that have held him back this season. The Ecuardorian has proven in the top tier that he has the ability to whizz past players with his pace, and the stepover king also has a few tricks up his sleeve. In theory, he should rip it up in the Championship. At Newcastle, Montero would be joining a team packed with players on the same wavelength and who should be able to create the space for him to thrive out wide.
In other Newcastle transfer news, supporters react on Twitter to this reported shock transfer.
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