Newcastle United's Bryan Mbeumo transfer priority clear as interest in £20m target talked up

With just seven weeks until the January transfer window opens, attention is slowly turning to who Newcastle United may sign to help boost their squad. For many the main priority is a right-winger but others believe United need a new centre-back or a striker who can truly push Alexander Isak with questions remaining over Callum Wilson's fitness.

On this week's Monday Show via The Everything is Black and White Podcast, Andrew Musgrove and Aaron Stokes discussed Newcastle's plans for the transfer window. There was talk of who the Magpies should target - Bryan Mbeumo or Anthony Elanga? While a suggestion that interest in Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford could be revived.

Of course, there was also a break down of Newcastle's fantastic win over Nottingham Forest but read on below for a few of the transfer snippets from the show.

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Newcastle's £38 million star who, despite scoring, DOES NOT DESERVE a place in the starting XI

It seems rather strange to write that Eddie Howe doesn't need to find Newcastle's joint top scorer a place in his first team but for many that is the case when it comes to Harvey Barnes. The winger may have four goals to his name this season - netting again in the win over Forest - but has struggled to have the same impact from the first while as he done when he comes off the bench.

At £38 million, some feel Howe must try to fit Barnes into his side but with Anthony Gordon and Joelinton finding form on the flanks, it's a task easier said than done - and for some, a task that is unnecessary.

Speaking on The Monday Show, Stokes said: "Look, I don't want to take the shine off Barnes' goal and the performance, but there will be debates along the lines of, like you've just said with [Sandro] Tonali, 'you've got to find a way to get him in this team - he cost £40 million - he's brilliant,' but with Barnes I don't think you do.

"I don't think he's earned a starting role in this team this season. He started the season in such good form, and then he got given a chance in the first team but he didn't take it. You know, you think about that Wimbledon game, he was really poor. You think about the Chelsea game, he was really poor.

"It's working at the minute, and Harvey Barnes, I hate to say it, looks ten times the player off the bench when the game is stretched, than he does when he's starting - and that's just the truth of it.”

Bryan Mbeumo or Anthony Elanga? There's one clear winner when it comes to who Newcastle should sign

Newcastle United are keen to bring a new arrival who can improve their right side with two names seemingly leading the list - Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga. United made a late bid for Elanga in the summer but a deal could not be struck. The 22-year-old has still yet to score this season but has impressed in a high-flying Forest team - who Newcastle beat on Sunday.

Mbeumo meanwhile is just one goal away from equalling his best ever tally (nine) in the Premier League, and has caught the eye with some impressive performances for The Bees. Both players are likely to cost in the region of £50 million but for Stokes there's no debate as to who United should push to sign this January from the pair.

"So, look, he [Elanga] had an OK game [in the 3-1 defeat to Newcastle] I don't think he set the world alight and he didn't stand out, but it was hard for any Forest player really to stand out.

"I don't think there's any debate if it's a straight shootout between Elanga and Mbeumo. I don't think you find anybody who says Elanga is the answer. Bryan Mbeumo for that money would be the man."

Toon may revisit James Trafford interest but it might cost them even MORE

Newcastle United were keen to bring James Trafford to St James' Park in the summer but after weeks of talks between the club and Burnley - a deal couldn't be agreed. It's thought that Burnley were asking for £20million for the 22-year-old - who has played 14 of the Clarets' 15 Championship games this season.

Following a summer of exits in which Burnley raised £88million, the fear is that should Newcastle revive their interest in Trafford it may cost them even more than it would have in the summer.

“I don't think it's any surprise that James Trafford's name keeps coming up," Stokes said. "Because people might not rate him, but as somebody who's came through Manchester City's academy, he's fantastic at playing out from the back and that's what Eddie Howe wants.

"I wouldn't be surprised [if Newcastle go back in for him in January]. Now, have they missed the chance on Trafford in the short term? Or are they going to have to play a premium?

"Maybe, because Burnley had this real fire sale in the summer where they got rid of half their team. Scott Parker pretty much ripped up the rule book. James Trafford has since played consistently for Burnley, so to get him in January is going to be hard, maybe in the summer but it depends if they come up.

"It's not an exciting signing for a lot of fans, but I think actually for the way Eddie Howe wants to play, I can see why he wants him."

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