Newcastle will have to spend record breaking fee to sign 23-year-old in January

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Newcastle United are expected to try and sign a new central midfielder in January.

While a new forward is also thought to be on the agenda for Newcastle when the transfer window opens in just a few days’ time, midfield is said to be the priority.

During the PIF era, only Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have arrived to strengthen that particular position. Now, however, the Italian is banned from football until August, leaving Eddie Howe light.

As such, Kalvin Phillips has continually been linked.

Still, such is the nature of the transfer rumour mill, more names keep emerging.

Celtic’s Matt O’Riley is the latest.

Matt O’Riley transfer news: Newcastle latest

According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle have entered the race to sign the 23-year-old.

The club are said to have scouted the former MK Dons youngster both at club level and during his appearances for Denmark.

Scouts have reportedly been in attendance at Celtic Park, with West Ham and Leicester among the other teams believed to be interested.

Celtic, however, are unlikely to make things easy, as you might expect.

It is claimed they are ready to demand as much as £25m for the midfielder, a fee that would surpass the highest-ever outgoing in Scottish football.

Matt O’Riley to Newcastle: January move unwise

While not to suggest O’Riley wouldn’t be a good addition, it would seem unwise to move for a player of his profile during a notoriously arduous window like January.

Newcastle have a challenge on their hands if they are to get back into the Champions League. With that in mind, looking for a project player at this stage hardly seems the best use of funds still limited by FFP concerns.

The club need players who can hit the ground running during the testing times of the business end of the season. O’Riley may be that, but the risk seems too great.