NEWCASTLE will reignite their interest in Scott McTominay should Sandro Tonali receive a lengthy ban.
While Fulham's Joao Palhinha is also on Eddie Howe's wishlist.
Newcastle are beginning to prepare for life without Tonali.
The Italian midfielder, 23, is expected to receive a ten-month ban after being investigated for alleged illegal betting on football matches.
And that leaves boss Howe with a major hole to fill, just four months after the signing the Italy midfielder for £55million from AC Milan.
Manchester United star McTominay has been a long-term Toon target.
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And the Athletic say Howe thinks he could be the man to fill Tonali's role in both defensive and central midfield positions.
Scotland star McTominay has been a goalscoring sensation for both club and country this season.
And Erik ten Hag does not want to lose the star who has netted three times in his last two games.
But despite his exploits in front of goal, McTominay has not been a regular in his boss' first XI this season and may be tempted by a move to a top-four rival
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Fulham star Palhinha has also been on Newcastle's radar and could feature again in the recruitment list in the January transfer window.
But they will face competition from a host of European giants.
The midfielder was on the verge of making the move to Bayern Munich in the summer for a £56million move.
Yet the deal collapsed as the Cottagers failed to find a replacement before the window shut.
Bayern will be expected to launch a fresh deal for their top target again in January.
However last month Palhinha agreed to a new contract with Fulham up until 2028 meaning he will not come cheap to the German side or Premier League rivals.
Howe confessed last week that the news about Tonali came as a "total surprise to me, to everybody."
The summer signing has made a tremendous start for the Magpies and has shown his capabilities in the league against Aston Villa and in Europe against Paris Saint-Germain.
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