‘Newcastle United work on Jamie Gittens deal after agent talks’
Newcastle United are working on a move to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the Magpies have joined the race for the 20-year-old.
The winger’s agent has made his availability clear to interested clubs and has been aiming to drum up interest ahead of a summer move.
Brown told Football Insider last month that Chelsea are leading the race for Gittens ahead of the likes of Liverpool and other Premier League rivals.
However, Newcastle would be prepared to offer him regular first-team football in the Champions League as they aim to strengthen Eddie Howe’s attacking options.
This comes after Football Insider revealed Newcastle are prepared to back Howe, with the signing of a new winger one of their top priorities.
Jamie Gittens open to England return amid Newcastle interest
Brown told Football Insider in January that Gittens is open to a return to England amid links to Chelsea, five years after leaving Man City for Dortmund.
The former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has explained Newcastle have been keeping a close eye on his situation this season.
“Newcastle have been having a look at Jamie Gittens,” he told Football Insider.
“They’ve had scouts watching him this season to determine whether he’s ready for that step up.
“They’ll have been sending regular updated reports from watching him, because it’s no use hearing about him when he does well and not when he’s had a dip in form.
“It looks like he will be leaving Dortmund, and a lot of that is put about by his agent.
“He’s been contacting clubs, making the player’s availability known and trying to get him a move.
“When the window opens, the agent will be pushing to see if he can get his player the best deal.
“So Newcastle have to look at the information they’ve got about him, the good and the bad, and then make a decision about their next steps.
“It should be a decision they make, not one that’s been pushed onto them by an agent.
“But from what I hear, they do rate him and he’s a player who’s been on their radar.
“They want to sign a winger and can offer him first-team football, so it’s move that would make sense.
“As I say, it’s a decision which will come down to whether their scouts think he’s the right player.”
Harvey Barnes update emerges after Aston Villa claim
As the Magpies aim to add a new winger to their squad to improve their attacking depth, speculation has continued surrounding the future of Harvey Barnes.
Brown told Football Insider on 16 May that Aston Villa want to sign Barnes as a potential replacement for Marcus Rashford at the end of his loan spell.
Barnes has emerged as one of their top targets on the left wing, and could be available as his playing time will be limited by Anthony Gordon’s presence.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle could cash in on Barnes to fund a move to sign Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.
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