Newcastle United are in the hunt to sign Everton midfielder James McCarthy, according to a reliable journalist.
Bleacher Report correspondent Dean Jones has claimed on his personal Twitter account that the Magpies are battling with fellow Premier League clubs West Brom and Leicester for the signature of the 26-year-old.
But Jones explained that Everton have slapped a £25million price tag on the Republic of Ireland international even though he was a fringe player under Ronald Koeman last season.
West Brom, Newcastle and Leicester among clubs interested in Everton’s James McCarthy – but been told he’s got a £25m price-tag
— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesBR) July 17, 2017
Midfield enforcer McCarthy has been strongly linked with an exit from Goodison Park in the last two transfer windows and the Telegraph named him in May as one of 30 Premier League players who will not play for their clubs again.
McCarthy had a frustrating 2016-17 campaign due to a series of niggling injuries that prompted criticism from manager Ronald Koeman.
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is widely reported to be a big admirer of the player even though he made just 13 appearances for Everton last season, spread across 678 minutes of action.
Koeman has also bought two new central midfielders in the last two windows, with Morgan Schneiderlin and Idrissa Gueye both making strong impressions since joining from Manchester United and Aston Villa respectively.
With Tom Davies also nailing down a regular spot in midfield, it appears that McCarthy, who joined from Wigan for £13million in the summer of 2013, is now surplus to requirements.
Koeman has continued his recruitment drive by buying seven more senior players this summer, although none of them are central midfielders.
McCarthy is under contract at Everton until 2020.