Newcastle United despatched head of recruitment Steve Nickson on an important transfer mission earlier this week. The club's chief talent spotter was in the stands at Brentford's GTech Stadium for Brentford's 2-2 draw with Manchester City to run the rule over Bryan Mbeumo.

Nickson has been on a series of UK scouting missions in the lead-up to the January window. However, he could well have been getting his ducks in a row ahead of summer business. The scouting mission for Mbeumo comes as Newcastle negotiate Miguel Almiron's exit to Atlanta United.

The Magpies like Bryan Mbeumo and the fact that Nickson was in attendance to run the rule over the 13-goal forward is a positive sign ahead of the summer. Brentford are believed to have slapped a £50million asking price on the 25-year-old but are not open to a January exit.

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Bees boss Thomas Frank has already ruled that out and said this week "No. So, very easy to answer that question!" Frank had also stated he expects Mbeumo to go at some stage though.

He said in October: "He's added another layer this year. I'm convinced one day he'll play for a bigger club. I'd definitely buy him if I were at a bigger club. That said, he's very happy here."

The right winger's contract runs down in 2026 but he has the option of an extra year. Although, Brentford have shown they are prepared to cash in when the time is right on stars like Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney in the past.

Nickson will have also been there to run the rule over James McAtee of Man City. But the 22-year-old was restricted to a four minute cameo just days after he'd bagged a hat-trick in the 8-0 win over Salford City.