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Newcastle United hope to sign a proven No 10 this summer - but the Magpies are also interested in bolstering their midfield ranks with young, British talent too.

While acquiring a striker remains a priority, Benitez is also determined to finally resolve United’s problem No 10 position.

Ayoze Perez was used as a second-striker last season - to great effect during the final three months of the campaign - while Mo Diame can also operate in such a role, but Newcastle lack a creative No 10 who can unlock defences.

Benitez had hoped to sign such a player both last summer and during the January window, but the Magpies failed to recruit any attacking-midfield reinforcements.

(Image: Bongarts)

It is understood that at least 10 creative midfielders have been scouted extensively over the past six months, with Red Bull Salzburg’s Valon Berisha someone Newcastle have followed for a long period. United have also been linked with Juventus’ Stefano Sturaro and Besiktas’ Oguzhan Ozyakup, though the Magpies have cooled their interest in the latter.

But, while United are expected to sign a frontline midfielder from the Continent this summer, the Magpies are also watching the domestic market for any young, British talent which may become available.

Currently, eight players in a 25-man Premier League squads must be ‘homegrown’ - and that number is expected to grow in the future. Though Newcastle registered 13 ‘homegrown’ players in their squad at the beginning of the 2017/18 season, the Magpies recognise the need to recruit talented British players where possible.

Though the priority is to recruit a proven midfielder from overseas, Newcastle are monitoring the domestic market to determine whether there are any potential bargains available.

Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish is expected to be sold this summer - but Newcastle are unlikely to make a move, despite rating the 22-year-old Englishman. Villa want close to £30million for Grealish, given that more than half of the top-flight’s clubs are chasing him, and Tottenham Hotspur are favourites to land his signature.

(Image: PA)

Another sought-after creative midfielder is Norwich City’s James Maddison. The 21-year-old is wanted by Everton, Leicester City and West Ham United too - and, though Newcastle retain a positive relationship with the Canaries having signed Jacob Murphy last summer, £20m-rated Maddison is likely to prove beyond the Magpies’ budget.

A more realistic target is Nottingham Forest’s Ben Osborn, who Newcastle have watched extensively over the last two seasons. The former England youth international is also wanted by Stoke City, but the Magpies may be tempted to make a move if they believe they can land Osborn at a reasonable price.

Another talented English youngster Newcastle are thought to be keeping tabs on is Marcus Edwards, who was once described by Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino as a ‘mini Messi’.

The 19-year-old is expected to leave north London this summer in search of first-team opportunities, with Newcastle joining Ajax and German outfit RB Leipzig on his list of suitors.

But it is not just ‘first-team ready’ British youngsters who United are looking to recruit. Having released 18 members of their Under-23 squad, Newcastle are also keen to bolster their reserve-team ranks by luring some of the most-promising players in the Premier League’s youth set up, too.