By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

27th Sep, 2022 | 11:03am

Sources: Newcastle United set sights on beating Everton to Nicolas Jackson deal

Newcastle have joined Everton in the race to sign Villarreal attacker Nicolas Jackson, sources have told Football Insider.

The forward, 21, has been a stand-out performer for the Spanish club this season and was rewarded with his first call-up to the Senegal senior squad this month.

Villarreal are keen to keep hold of Jackson but he has a £29million release clause and the club could be forced to sell.

Football Insider revealed Everton’s interest in the La Liga star at the end of the summer window (14 August), and now has learned that Newcastle are also keeping close tabs on the player.

Newcastle and Everton are both in the market for attacking reinforcements in January after missing out on a number of targets in the summer window.

Scouts from both teams have watched Jackson in action this season and have delivered glowing reports to their clubs.

The forward has started five of Villarreal’s six La Liga games in the new campaign, notching one goal and one assist.

He has also featured four times in the Europa Conference League.

Newcastle strengthened their attacking arsenal with the club-record signing of Alexander Isak during the summer window.

The Magpies also signed Chris Wood in January, but the former Burnley hitman has struggled for form at St James’ Park – scoring just three goals in 25 outings.

Meanwhile, Callum Wilson’s struggles with fitness have continued into the 2022-23 campaign, with the England international playing just three of Newcastle’s seven league games.

Everton have managed seven points from their first seven games but have struggled in front of goal.

The Toffees have managed just five Premier League strikes – the joint-second lowest tally in the top flight.

In other news, pundit claims Newcastle United could now seal cut-price James Maddison deal after ‘brilliant’ source reveal.