Newcastle are now interested in 27-year-old forward who broke Geordie hearts recently

Newcastle United are keeping a close eye on Borussia Dortmund forward Julian Brandt.

It was only a few days ago that Julian Brandt was scoring past Newcastle in the Champions League to round off a 2-0 win at the Signal Iduna Park but now it seems that just endeared him to Eddie Howe.

The Mirror reports that Newcastle have joined Arsenal and Liverpool in having an interest in the German forward, despite the fact that he recently signed a contract extension at Dortmund.

Brandt is in banging form for Dortmund this season

Brandt has four goals and four assists in the Bundesliga this season in just 11 appearances as well as a goal and assist in two games in the DFB Pokal. We'll not mention the Champions League one again.

The fact that Brandt has just signed a new contract and is in such fine form likely rules out a January move, but Newcastle may try their luck in the summer.

Should Newcastle qualify for the Champions League again, they will have to improve the squad depth after learning such harsh lessons this season and that will mean bringing in players like Brandt who have Champions League experience.

Brandt is an exciting prospect but we need to focus on January first

It could be an expensive summer for Eddie Howe as even without Champions League football again next year, the squad needs addressing as the aim is to constantly be improving.

While Julian Brandt is a superb player, the fact that a move in January is so unlikely means this is another one that should be put to the back of our minds like the Andreas Christensen link from yesterday.

With another player added to the casualty list yesterday in Miguel Almiron, and confirmation that Callum Wilson now faces weeks out, we desperately need bodies in in January.