Newcastle United have reportedly asked Paris Saint-Germain about signing Edouard Michut, who is currently on loan at rivals Sunderland.
That is according to Sky Sports, who state that the Magpies have enquired about signing the French midfielder in the summer. RB Leipzig have done the same, and they are a club that always has its finger on the pulse when it comes to young recruitment.
The report states that Eddie Howe’s side are going to monitor Michut during the second half of the season, and they will only have to look down the road to check on his progress.
The 19-year-old is currently playing for Sunderland in the Championship, having joined the Black Cats on loan back in August.
They have an option to sign him permanently in the summer, but other clubs are now looking to swoop in and gazump them – including Newcastle.
A move to St James’ Park after a loan at Sunderland for Michut would be reminiscent of deals for DeAndre Yedlin and Javi Manquillo, whose careers followed that exact path.
Michut is certainly a player with a lot of potential, having rose through the ranks at PSG. He made eight appearances for the first-team before joining Sunderland last year.
Tony Mowbray has certainly been impressed with Michut, despite not being able to rely on him much due to injury. He has made just 11 senior appearances this season, but Mowbray believes he has ‘immense talent‘.
That is why Newcastle are keeping an eye on him ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, and he isn’t the only player of a red and white persuasion that Dan Ashworth is looking at.
Newcastle want Chris Rigg as well as Edouard Michut
While Michut is only on loan at Sunderland, Newcastle are also looking at another midfielder who calls the Stadium of Light his permanent home.
It was recently reported by i News that the Magpies want to sign Chris Rigg, who recently made his senior debut at the age of 15.
A product of Sunderland’s academy, Rigg was on the bench for Sunderland’s Championship draw with Blackpool on New Year’s Day, then made his senior debut six days later when he played nine minutes in their FA Cup win over Shrewsbury.
The teenager is very highly rated, and is drawing comparisons to Jordan Henderson.
Newcastle would be looking to the future if they brought in Rigg, and it is further proof of Ashworth’s forward thinking in the transfer market.
He wants two teenage midfielders from down the road, and is keen for them swap their red and white shirt for a black and white in the near future.