Newcastle United ‘begin discussions’ to re-sign £15m star with unfinished business - left the academy in 2013

Newcastle United have kickstarted discussions over a blockbuster move for highly-rated Bournemouth winger Marcus Tavernier as Eddie Howe aims to reinvigorate his team in January after a disappointing start to the campaign.

The Magpies are determined to bolster their wide attacking options after a slow start to the season which has seen the team struggle to find the net on a regular basis.

As it stands, Newcastle have the fourth worst attacking record in the league alongside Manchester United. Their tally of 13 goals in 12 matches is less than half of the 27 goals they had registered this time last season, with only newly promoted Southampton, Everton and strugglers Crystal Palace scoring less.

TBR Football understands that Tavernier has been identified by Howe as a player that can help Newcastle resolve this issue.

Tavernier, like his older brother James, was on the books at Newcastle for a number of years before eventually leaving Tyneside to join Middlesbrough as a youngster at Under-14 level in 2013.

The winger went on to establish himself as a big hit at Middlesbrough’s academy and was introduced to the first team under Garry Monk in 2017.

Tavernier racked up a total of 18 goals and 18 assists in 155 appearances across all competitions before securing a move to the big time with Bournemouth for a reported fee of £10m with a further £5m in performance related add-ons.

Since signing for the Cherries, Tavernier has registered 10 goals and 10 assists in 71 appearances across all competitions and has played a vital part in helping the team establish itself in the top-flight.

Tavernier’s most recent goal for Bournemouth came in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle earlier in the season and the 25-year-old has previously spoken of his desire to make an impression when playing against the North East club.

He told the Shields Gazette in September 2022: “I grew up in Newcastle, I lived there when I was at Middlesbrough, so I know a lot about the town and the club and all the things to do with it.”

When asked about returning to haunt the club that released him, he added: “Yeah definitely, but most of my friends are Newcastle fans so it’s a bit of both at the moment.”

TBR Football understands that Tavernier is one of the club’s top targets in the winter window but he’s not the only Cherries player on the Magpies’ radar, with Football Insider also reporting that the club are interested in landing Antoine Semenyo.