Newcastle United have made their transfer priority a move for Everton midfielder James McCarthy as deadline day in the January transfer window dawns, according to the Northern Echo.
So far, it’s been a frustrating few months for the Magpies, who are thought to have missed out on moves for the likes of Tom Cleverley, Mo Barrow and Andros Townsend (so far) as Rafa Benitez desperately tries to add last-minute reinforcements to his promotion push.
McCarthy has been touted as a target since the summer after falling down the pecking order and the Toon Army, along with Crystal Palace, are thought to have expressed a formal interest in taking the 26-year-old on loan for the rest of the campaign.
While the Republic of Ireland international is said to have initially been against the idea of leaving Goodison Park, the report suggests he’s recently been open to the notion.
In theory, he’d form a strong midfielder axis with the excellent Jonjo Shelvey, battling with the likes of Isaac Hayden and Jack Colback for a starting berth alongside the England international.
