Newcastle United continue to track potential Joelinton replacement despite FFP concerns

Newcastle United are still pursuing Everton enforcer Amadou Onana, according to reports.

There were suggestions the Magpies were chasing the Toffees talisman last month. Onana arrived at Goodison Park 18 months ago and, despite Everton’s woes, his stock has risen with several all-action displays.

The 22-year-old is a 6ft 4in powerhouse and would add muscle to a lightweight Newcastle midfield. Recent months have seen Eddie Howe bereft of options amid an ongoing injury crisis.

Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson have missed most of the campaign while Sandro Tonali is out until August through suspension. Joelinton would usually be the dominant man in the engine room but is out for the campaign with a thigh injury.

The Brazilian’s future is also up in the air, with just 18 months remaining on his Newcastle contract. He has been on the same deal since arriving on Tyneside almost five years ago - worth a reported £85,000 per week.

There are claims that Joelinton is hoping to align his pay packet with the club’s top earners after developing into one of the Premier League’s most influential midfielders. Should Toon chiefs fail to break the impasse, they could decide to cash in on the 27-year-old.

CEO Darren Eales revealed in January that the club may need to offload players to create “headroom” for the balance sheet. FFP/PSR wriggle room is tight - and Joelinton could prove the fall guy.

His potential exit would leave a gaping hole in the Magpies’ midfield, with Bruno Guimaraes, Willock, Anderson, Tonali, Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley lacking Joelinton’s physicality. Onana is five years his junior and, with Premier League experience, is a plausible replacement should the fans’ favourite leave.

An update from Football Insider reports that Newcastle have “compiled an extensive scouting dossier” on the Belgian international. Everton are rumoured to be demanding around £60million for their star asset.