Newcastle United are likely to focus on other targets for Eddie Howe’s side at St. James’ Park before making a move for Shakhtar Donetsk and Ukraine international Mykhaylo Mudryk, transfer insider Dean Jones has suggested to GiveMeSport.

The Magpies are looking to add to their squad in January as they push for European football next season.

Newcastle transfer news – Mykhaylo Mudryk

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have submitted a bid worth around £52m in the race to secure the signature of Mudryk in the January transfer window, though the same journalist has stated that Shakhtar want ‘way more’ to sell their star player.

However, Football Insider sources revealed earlier this month that Newcastle had made a move to sign the eight-time Ukraine winger, in a bid to compete with the Gunners for his services in the new year.

CBS reporter Ben Jacobs told GiveMeSport at the beginning of the month that the Magpies were ‘keeping a very close eye’ on the situation regarding the Shakhtar star, who has been dubbed as looking “special” by journalist Charles Watts.

However, Jones believes that Arsenal are “in the driving seat” to sign Mudryk in January and Newcastle will be looking at “other situations” in the upcoming winter transfer window.

What has Jones said about Newcastle and Mudryk?

When asked about the possibility of Newcastle moving for Mudryk, Jones told GiveMeSport: “I’m not hearing much on this one, to be honest. I think Arsenal are still clearly in the driving seat and Newcastle at the moment have other situations they are checking out.

“If it doesn't work out for Newcastle, and Mudryk is still on the market, maybe it is something that will come to life.”

Who else could Newcastle target in January?

Having made ten signings across two transfer windows since taking ownership of the club in October 2021, PIF will be looking to add more quality to the Magpies' squad next month, with the club currently sitting second in the Premier League after 16 games and in a genuine position to compete for Champions League football next season.

The highest profile transfer target for the Tyneside club is that of Leicester City attacking midfielder James Maddison, with Newcastle having had a bid worth over £40m rejected for the one-time England international in the summer after the Foxes valued him at around £60m.

Meanwhile, the Daily Express have linked Barcelona and Netherlands forward Memphis Depay with a move to St. James’ Park in the new year, whilst The Times have suggested that PIF could look to bring Borussia Monchengladbach and France striker Marcus Thuram to the Premier League in January.

Whilst a move for Mudryk has not completely been ruled out, it seems that Newcastle have set their sights elsewhere should the Ukrainian make the expected move to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad.

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