Newcastle United ‘failed’ with deadline day move for Arsenal ace as Tottenham Hotspur ‘join’ French striker hunt

Despite the focus now being on the Magpies bid to avoid relegation, there was still speculation over possible summer signings across various media outlets on Wednesday morning.

Premier League rivals ramp up interest in Magpies target

Newcastle looked to be making progress in their deadline day bid to sign Reims striker Hugo Ekitike after they had an offer accepted by the Ligue 1 club.

The young striker opted to remain in France and found the net in his side’s 5-0 home win against Bordeaux at the weekend.

That impressive display came in front of a raft of visiting scouts from Premier League clubs and 90 minutes are reporting North London rivals Arsenal and Spurs are set to ramp up their interest in Ekitike.

Newcastle are also believed to have been represented at Stade Auguste Delaune on Sunday.

Former England midfielder believes Magpies loan star has no future at parent club

Matt Targett made an impressive start to life at Newcastle with a solid display in Tuesday night’s win against Everton.

The Aston Villa defender completed a loan move to St James Park on the final day of the January transfer window and looks set to play a key role in the Magpies bid to avoid relegation.

With no option over a permanent move included in the deal, it remains unknown whether he will extend his stay on Tyneside beyond the end of the campaign.

However, former England midfielder Carlton Palmer believes Targett has no future with Villa and would “play second fiddle” if he was to return to the club this summer.

He told GiveMeSport: “I think he’s done but I think he’s been unlucky.

“I think he’s played well whenever I’ve seen him play for Aston Villa, but Steven Gerrard wants to play a different way.

“He wants to play with his full-backs further up the field and Digne is his number one full-back now.

“If Matt goes back there, he is playing second fiddle, so his future is away from Villa Park now.”

Gunners rejected Magpies bid for midfielder

Egyptian outlet KingFut.com have reported Newcastle made an unsuccessful deadline day approach for Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny.

The 29-year-old has struggled to find regular game-time at the Emirates this season but was part of the Egypt squad that reached the African Cup of Nations Final recently.

Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbache are said to have tried to sign Elneny during the summer and retain an interest in the midfielder - and his agent Alan Nazmy has claimed Newcastle also made an approach during the January transfer window.

He told radio station Mega FM: “Mohamed Elneny doesn’t follow social media directly, but sometimes someone from his circle would send him news about him or criticism.

“The player’s contract expires at the end of the current season, and Arteta rejected all offers that came for Elneny and asked that him to stay with the team.”

“Newcastle United, Valencia, Lyon, and the largest known Turkish clubs, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, wanted to sign Elneny, but in the end Arteta and the Arsenal management refused.”