Newcastle United transfer search under way as teenager Paul Mitchell knows scouted amid PIF pledge

Newcastle United are keeping tabs on exciting Monaco winger Eliesse Ben Seghir. The 19-year-old won't need any introduction to Newcastle's sporting director Paul Mitchell who served Monaco for three years as transfer supremo.

Ben Seghir rose through the Monaco youth ranks and is now a first-team star for the French principality side. The teenager has played 16 games this season at first-team level, scoring four times and weighing in with three assists. The Morocco international is predominantly a left winger and can also play number 10.

Speaking on his development at Monaco, Ben Seghir said: "The coach is trying to help me progress and has set for me several objectives, particularly defensive ones. This is the season where I’m defending the most by dropping back more. He also wants me to be more decisive, and that’s through stats.

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"He didn’t want to put a figure on what he expected of me, but personally, I’d like to reach the double-double: 10 goals, 10 assists. That hasn’t been achieved often in Ligue 1. I feel like I’m reaching new heights after a season where I was held back by injuries. I have the confidence of the coach and the staff. Today, I’m playing without holding back and I’ll see how it goes."

United's scouting network have been busy ahead of winter transfer meetings and it is understood that a Newcastle scout was in the stands for Coventry City's 2-2 draw with Sheffield United at the weekend. The Toon talent spotter was believed to be running the rule over potential talent from the Championship.

Mitchell spoke to fans last week at the We are United supporter event and insisted that he would be knocking on the door for the club's owners to release funds in January. He said then: "Unfortunately, PSR has entered our lives making it delicate, difficult, complicated for us in particular. Looking forward we are looking to navigate the strategic plan and continuing to progress the club and continuing building performance on the pitch which is crucial for the women's and men's teams.

"A big part of my role is making these guys' lives on stage a living nightmare to ascertain as much cash as we can in very strategic ways to invest in the first-team and the women's and the Academy moving forward."