Newcastle is best option for reported target Ryan Manning

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Newcastle are, according to a report in the Northern Echo, interested in luring Queens Park Rangers left-back Ryan Manning to Tyneside in January, but would face competition from Premier League rivals.

Steve Bruce has a budget to strengthen in the winter window, albeit an apparent limited one, and the 23-year-old Irishman would appeal to the manager, as a fee of around £3 million is expected to be enough to seal a deal.

But there are other Premier League sides interested, with both West Ham and Watford joining the chase, according to the London Football News website, while Southampton are also mentioned.

It is also suggested in the article that Manning is in the final year of his current contract, but QPR do have an option to extend it for a further year, which would be likely if they want to demand the highest fee possible.

But for Manning, who can play left-midfield as well as left-back, surely his best option would be to come to the North East.

Jetro Willems has stood out at Newcastle, but still not certain to sign permanently

Jetro Willems has impressed so far on the left this season, but with him only being a loanee, there is still no guarantee he will sign permanently.

It would give Manning a chance to impress, and should he do enough, he could even be seen as a money-saving option over the alleged £9.5m fee Willems would cost, and that is certain to grab Mike Ashley’s attention.

But that apart, the former Galway player could learn so much from Matt Ritchie, who made a similar switch from midfield to wing-back, at which he excelled.

The opportunity to rely on Ritchie’s knowledge and the first team chances he would likely be afforded should see him looking to Newcastle as his preferred destination.

Finally, if he has noted the names both Longstaffs have made for themselves in the past few months after grabbing their chances in the senior set-up, it all points to somewhere players like Manning should want to be.

Of course, it will be up to Steve Bruce to convince the player and his agent that he will develop into a better player at St James’ Park, and at such a low asking price, surely even Lee Charnley will not be able to low-ball an offer for the Irishman.