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Newcastle are working on a January deal for German international striker Max Kruse.

Toon owner Mike Ashley is willing to fund a £9million bid for Kruse – close to the asking price demanded by his club Borussia Monchengladbach.

Boss Alan Pardew is keen to add a front-line striker to his squad with new boys Emmanuel Riviere and Siem de Jong failing to make an impact, despite Newcastle’s excellent recent run of six straight victories.

It is believed that approaches have been made regarding the 26-year-old, who has been recalled to Joachim Low’s Germany squad after an impressive start to the Bundesliga season.

Ashley is renowned for being frugal in the transfer market, with the £9m paid for Papiss Cisse their highest outlay of the past five years, but he is willing to strengthen in January by making at least one key signing.

(Image: Shaun Botterill / Getty)

And Kruse has been identified by Pardew and Newcastle’s scouts as an affordable target who could go straight into the first team and make a significant impact.

The Toon owner is said to recognise the mistake of selling midfield star Yohan Cabaye in last year’s winter window, a move which saw Pardew’s team plummet down the Premier League and leave him under severe pressure after a porr start to the current campaign.

Kruse did not make the cut for Germany’s triumphant World Cup squad but was recalled for European qualifiers month. He has also attracted interest from other Premier League clubs, most notably Southampton.