Newcastle United could be poised to approve significant departures from St. James’ Park in the coming weeks, as Rafael Benitez looks to raise funds for his own January activity.
The Spanish boss once again faces financial limitations in the transfer market, with the Premier League side remaining up for sale, and his quest to land new faces permanently is likely to mean that some are offloaded.
According to The Northern Echo, West Ham target Jonjo Shelvey could be one of those making way as the Magpies reignite interest in Fulham’s 24-year-old Scottish international Tom Cairney.
Newcastle tried to poach the midfielder from the Cottagers last summer, but failed in a £20m swoop, and have been alerted to his availability this month, following reports that West Brom are closing in on a £15m deal.
The Magpies could hijack that bid with a swoop of their own, with funds raised by selling Shelvey, but an alternative could be to offer Dwight Gayle, the prime target for Fulham this month, as makeweight in a transfer.
Gayle was electric in the Magpies’ Championship winning campaign last season but has struggled to rekindle that form in the Premier League.
