Newcastle United are weighing up an ambitious move to sign Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko, according to the Northern Echo.
The 24-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola this season.
He hasn’t featured in a Premier League fixture since the 5-0 win over Arsenal back in August.
The left-back has been ousted to the bench and he may seek a move to play regular football in January.
With PIF now pulling the strings at the football club, they will scour the market for some statement signings in January.
Newcastle are currently rock-bottom and getting the chequebook out might have to wait until the summer.
A string of attractive loan options could present themselves though and Zinchenko seems realistic.
He has made 105 appearances for the Citizens, helping the team win three Premier League titles, four League Cups and an FA Cup.
That winning mentality could prove vital to a Newcastle dressing room that is lacking in confidence.
Zinchenko isn’t limited to operating at left-back and he can play further forward as he sometimes does for the Ukraine national team.
The man with 48 caps earns £58,000-a-week at Manchester City and taking on some of those wages shouldn’t be a problem for the Magpies.
Exciting: Zinchenko would be a useful addition for Newcastle
The youngster deserves first-team football and sitting on the bench isn’t going to aid his development at all.
Zinchenko can operate in a couple of positions on the left-hand side and that versatility could also come in handy.
The international performer is a proven winner and his trophy haul with City could prove a useful mindset to have in the Newcastle dressing room.
Landing him won’t come easy though. Plenty of clubs are likely to fancy signing him and Newcastle might have to be quick.
Zinchenko could prove a game-changer in the Newcastle ranks.
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