Newcastle now look to make England man a priority transfer target in January

Paul Mitchell and his recruitment team are hard at work identifying possible transfer targets for the January window after Newcastle United had a less-than-stellar summer.

Newcastle was a club in a state of flux over the summer with board members leaving and key staff members being appointed and it served to disrupt the club's rhythm in the transfer market, ultimately leading to another window in which you could argue that the club didn't improve the first-team.

While not for a lack of effort, it just wasn't meant to be for Newcastle in the transfer market this summer, which is why they have to get things right in January.

Paul Mitchell has to now stamp his authority on the recruitment process which he has promised to do after admitting that he took a back seat in the summer.

Matthieu Mirville/AP

Newcastle want versatile midfielder Angel Gomes but face strong competition

While Newcastle's priorities were a right-sided centre-back and a right winger, it now looks as though the Magpies are heading in a slightly different direction.

The Sun believes that Newcastle are now looking towards recent England debutant Angel Gomes as a priority target for January.

The 24-year-old has a year remaining on his current Lille contract and other clubs, including Newcastle will look to prise the versatile midfielder away from the French side in the new year.

Newcastle don't really need another midfielder

Liverpool, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund are all keen on the former Manchester United man and it seems none are willing to take the chance of scooping Gomes up on a free when his Lille contract expires at the end of the season.

Gomes can play practically anywhere throughout the midfield which does make him an attractive prospect, although you could argue that midfield is the one area that Newcastle don't need to strengthen. A package deal for Gomes and Jonathan David from Lille would be nice, though.

It could be a case of a player being too good to pass up, I mean, Chelsea do it all the time and they're mostly responsible for the housing crisis in London now.