Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Swansea City midfielder Matt Grimes.
According to reports via Chronicle, Premier League side Southampton are leading the chase for Grimes this summer.
The Championship star is available for a fee of around £8 million because of his contract situation.
The Magpies need some depth in central midfield and Grimes could prove to be a handy addition to Steve Bruce’s squad.
The Newcastle manager has been trying to sign a box to box midfielder for a while, and the 25-year-old fits the profile.
SL View: Grimes’ arrival could be the end of Matty Longstaff
Grimes chipped in with five goals and four assists from midfield this past season.
He could form a quality partnership alongside Isaac Hayden next season, and his arrival would add some much-needed goals to Newcastle’s midfield.
He has just one year left on his current contract with Swansea, and the Championship outfit are under pressure to cash in this summer.
Both Southampton and Newcastle can afford the reported asking price, and the Magpies will probably have to come up with a sizeable contract offer to beat the Saints to his signature.
Meanwhile, the signing of Grimes could affect Matty Longstaff’s future at the club.
The young midfielder has fallen down the pecking order at Newcastle and struggled to hold down a regular starting berth this past season.
It would be best for him to move on if the club decides to bring in another central midfielder.
Read: Newcastle linked with a move for Brazilian midfielder.
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