Newcastle United 'closely monitoring' £10m-rated Norway star

Newcastle United have been named as long-term admirers of Norway international Julian Ryerson.

Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb have claimed the Magpies are keen to add a left-back to their squad in the new year and have already identified a player they have faced in the Champions League as their preferred target.

United recruitment staff are said to have followed Borussia Dortmund star Ryerson ‘for some time’ as he continues to make an impact in the Bundesliga and Champions League for the German giants.

Ryerson missed Dortmund’s 1-0 win at St James Park in October through an illness but did play the entire 90 minutes as the Magpies fell to a 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture last month.  His form so far this season has captured the attention of several clubs and he has scored two goals and provided one assist in 15 appearances in all competition during the campaign.

The Norway international made a £3.5m move to Dortmund from Bundesliga rivals Union Berlin last January and quickly settled into life in from of the famous yellow wall by marking his debut with an impressive display as his new side came out on the right end of a seven-goal thriller against Augsberg.

Speaking after the win, he said: “It was an amazing feeling to experience the yellow wall. It was a lot of fun. I looked up a few times during the game.  It’s difficult when you’re a new player. But my teammates have given me a great reception. I feel very comfortable here.”“The first contact with BVB was a little while ago. I am proud that such a big club was interested in signing me. Now I’m really fired up for the challenge.”

There is little given away over if Ryerson would be open to limiting his stay in Dortmund to a year and the report suggests there is ‘nothing concrete at the moment’ despite revealing the defender is being ‘closely monitored’ by several Premier League clubs.