Newcastle transfer news: Tottenham winger set to join this week

Newcastle hope to push home their interest in Tottenham winger Andros Townsend this week as head coach Steve McClaren looks to strengthen his attacking options.

The Magpies have opened talks over the England international and are hopeful of landing him either on a permanent deal, or on a loan basis with an option to buy in the summer.

Press Association Sport understands the 24-year-old, who has also been linked with Watford and West Brom in recent weeks, has indicated a willingness to make the move to Tyneside.

However, no deal has yet been agreed and Spurs are understood to be holding out for their full valuation of a player who has not featured in the first team at White Hart Lane since the 2-1 Europa League defeat by Anderlecht on October 22 after reportedly falling out with a member of manager Mauricio Pochettino's staff.

Both clubs are renowned for driving a hard bargain and it remains to be seen whether or not they can find common ground with McClaren keen to have Townsend at his disposal as soon as possible, and ideally before Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Watford.

McClaren is keen to add both a striker and a winger to his squad. In addition to Townsend, the Newcastle boss is continuing his search for a specialist frontman to take the pressure off summer signing Aleksandar Mitrovic, who once again passed up a series of chances at the weekend.

Newcastle began the month with a long list of targets but Lyon's Alexandre Lacazette is seemingly beyond their reach, Chelsea's Loic Remy is apparently unavailable, West Ham's Andy Carroll and Wolfsburg's Bas Dost are both injured and Charlie Austin has made a surprise switch to Southampton.

West Brom's Saido Berahino remains in their sights, although there will be significant competition for his signature and the Magpies need to have alternatives in mind.