Newcastle have sent scouts to Denmark to run rule over 20-year-old likened to Michael Essien

Back in March Newcastle United were linked with an interest in then 19-year-old Ivory Coast prospect Mario Dorgeles and a new report claims that their interest remains.

The Boot Room has reported that there are a list of Premier League clubs who have their eye on 20-year-old Dorgeles who currently plays for Nordsjaelland in Denmark, claiming that Newcastle, along with Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford have sent scouts to watch the midfielder in action.

Four Four Two covered Newcastle's interest back in March where they posited the question if Dorgeles could be the 'new Michael Essien'.

Naturally, the interest isn't just coming from the Premier League with plenty of top European clubs also monitoring Dorgeles.

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Could Mario Dorgeles be the CDM Eddie Howe has been waiting for?

Newcastle have long been said to have been interested in a defensive midfielder to give Eddie Howe more options and a chance to shake up his system.

It's something we've been saying for a while now that it may be time for Howe to mix up his style and change formation as other teams seem to have sussed us out now.

Signing a defensive midfielder would certainly allow us to do that, although whether a 20-year-old raw talent is the immediate answer to that question is another matter.

Dorgeles can play in several different positions in the middle of the park

Dorgeles has made 12 appearances for Nordsjaelland so far this season and has contributed a goal and two assists and has covered the CDM role as well as central midfield and attacking midfielder.

He's clearly versatile which would, again, be useful for Howe to change things up and keep our opposition on their toes.

There's no mention of what it may cost to prise Mario Dorgeles away from Nordsjaelland or indeed just how far down the line anyone's interest actually is, so it may be one to keep an eye on for the summer rather than January.