Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren said United were close on “one or two” players after the friendly clash with Club Atlas – and the Magpies still have plenty of work to do to re-stock their squad ahead of the season opener against Southampton.

Georginio Wijnaldum is the first through the door, but United want four more, at least, and all should be expected to battle for a first-team place.

So where do the club stand on some of the players we know they’re interested in? Here’s a comprehensive list of the credible targets – and how close or far away Newcastle are.

Strikers:

Aleksandar Mitrovic (Anderlecht)

The highly-rated Anderlecht forward is the player Newcastle are closest to signing – and the man Steve McClaren was referring to when he said “one or two things are close” after Wednesday’s Club Atlas defeat. But there remain some doubts about whether Newcastle will clinch it.

Although it has taken longer than anticipated – Newcastle hoped to have him on board by the weekend – United are still optimistic about clinching a £13m deal for the 20-year-old firebrand. Reports in Belgium this morning suggested a deal could be concluded before this weekend.

The reason for the delay? His influential father wanted ‘time’ to think about it, and there also suggestions that United’s lack of European football might have played a part. Roma and Porto, both sniffing around him, would offer compelling alternatives.

Charlie Austin (QPR)

United are interested and have made contact with Rangers and the player’s representatives. Les Ferdinand confirmed on Monday that NO bid had been made yet.

The sticking point is the fee. £15m is a lot for a player with a year left on his deal and Newcastle want to do business for less. Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Southampton and West Ham have all been credited with an interest – and so have Premier League new boys Bournemouth.

Troy Deeney (Watford)

Linked heavily earlier in the window but has just signed a contract extension at Vicarage Road. United’s name and potential interest might have been used as leverage. Can discount this one now.

(Image: 2015 Getty Images)

Bas Dost (Wolfsburg)

Another McClaren knows well from Germany and a definite target. But the trail has gone cold since Wolfsburg’s director of football Klaus Allofs said Newcastle would have to pay way more than the £9m speculated on.

“I read about lump sum payments from £7.1m to £8.5m for Bas. But then I refer to Roberto Firmino’s example and say they will have to get used to higher amounts if any club really wants to buy Dost,” he said.

Not dead yet, though.

Diego Rolan (Bordeaux)

United were linked with a £13m bid for Rolan, the well-regarded Uruguay striker, earlier this week. There is not understood to have been a formal offer yet but his name has been mentioned in dispatches – and he might be a compelling Plan B if some of the bigger targets don’t come off.

Saido Berahino (West Brom)

Berahino was on the list of priority striker targets compiled by Newcastle at the start of the close season – and they had received encouragement from then-agent Aidy Ward about his intentions. But it was always an ambitious move, and their chances have dimmed due to Berahino’s injury – which sees him battling to be fit for the big kick-off – and the England under-21 striker’s decision to move agents. He is understood to have joined the well-connected Base Soccer agency and that may pave the way for a move to one of the top four.

West Brom say they want in excess of £20m for the forward.

Patrick Bamford (Chelsea)

United like Bamford but feel his valuation – more than £10m – is too pricey. Bamford had a mixed time working with McClaren at Derby – and the man who played for Boro last season says he wants to stake a claim for a place in Chelsea’s plans in pre-season, so not looking likely.

Andy Carroll (West Ham United)

A link that just won’t die. Not back until September after suffering another injury, he remains a player that United like and McClaren talked about bringing in an old-fashioned number nine when he got the job. Looks a long shot.

Ivan Toney (Northampton)

Promising teenager has been the subject of interest and Northampton have confirmed discussions with Newcastle about a £600,000 deal. No bid yet though, and buying players for the development squad – which is part of United’s plans – will wait until priority targets have been landed.

Midfielders:

Florian Thauvin (Marseille)

Newcastle have been watching Thauvin since he made his move to Marseille, and interest in him is nothing new. Talk of a bid that would include Remy Cabella going to Marseille on loan was interesting. Thauvin is another who can be inconsistent, but he’s deadly on his day. We’ve not heard the last of this one.

Ever Banega (Sevilla)

A link made in foreign media in recent days. At 27 and with a £10m price tag, it looks unlikely – but Newcastle do want to exploit the Spanish market more.

Jesse Lingaard (Manchester United)

A loan deal was mooted earlier in the window but United are concentrating on permanent deals. Sources at the club claim they only want to bring in players that could go straight into the team, so seems unlikely.

Defenders:

(Image: Action Images via Reuters / Graham Stuart)

Jason Denayer (Manchester City)

Young prospect caught the eye at Celtic last season and John Carver was keen on a move when he was still in charge. Certainly fits Newcastle’s profile, although they’re looking for a ready-made centre-back capable of possibly usurping Fabricio Coloccini’s guaranteed place in the centre of defence. Does Belgium defender Denayer qualify?

Abdennour Aymen (Monaco)

An ambitious target and a player Newcastle have been looking at for a long time. He carries a big price tag but it’s one Newcastle would be willing to pay for the Tunisia defender. The problem is there’s some serious competition – Milan are just one of the clubs looking at the classy centre-back.

Joel Matip (Schalke)

Cameroon defender is a confirmed target. At £10m Newcastle think he is slightly over-valued and would want to haggle with the Bundesliga side. Matip himself says he’s happy to stay at Schalke if no-one comes in for him.

Chancel Mbemba (Anderlecht)

Interesting link that has emerged in the last day or so through the well-informed Belgian media. Newcastle have supposedly enquired about him as part of the Mitrovic deal.