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Newcastle United are reportedly ready to firm up their long-standing interest in Florian Grillitsch, who has been described as one of their most realistic targets.

Financially, Newcastle can afford to sign just about whoever they want after their Saudi-backed takeover. On the pitch, though, they will struggle to convince some of their more ambitious targets to join. Furthermore, there is a feeling that rival Premier League clubs would be reluctant to do business with them.

Therefore, they will have to formulate a creative approach in the January transfer window. Firmly in a relegation battle, they need to find players willing to help them avoid a negative fate.

One player they think they have a realistic chance of landing, according to The Sun, is Hoffenheim midfielder Grillitsch.

The Austria international is in the final few months of his contract with the Bundesliga side. Therefore, he can sign a pre-contract agreement in January ahead of next season, or move in the winter for a cut-price fee.

The report claims Grillitsch could cost somewhere between £3m and £4m, which may turn out to be a bargain.

At the age of 26, he has built up plenty of experience across spells with Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim. Able to play as a midfielder or in a deeper role, his versatility would be an asset to whoever takes him.

Newcastle are hoping he will choose them, having reportedly tracked him for a few months already.

They know he will be a lot cheaper to pursue than other targets of his position in the domestic market. Furthermore, they are hoping to tempt him financially, despite their current challenge on the pitch.

Newcastle rival Roma for Grillitsch

But Grillitsch also has admirers at Roma, where Jose Mourinho is considering signing him. Mourinho inherited a work in progress when taking the Roma job in the summer, when he tried but failed to sign a new midfielder.

It is an area he will aim to rectify in January and there have been links with a few Premier League players. But the Serie A side are also looking further afield and have Grillitsch on their radar.

Newcastle, though, will hope to use their financial might to tempt the 26-cap international to choose them.

Across his Hoffenheim career, Grillitsch has played in 143 games, providing 11 assists and eight goals. Previously, he contributed six assists and four goals from 54 games for Werder Bremen.

He has never played club football outside Germany, but it seems he may face such a decision soon. The choice will be whether to venture to the Premier League or Serie A.

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Newcastle face disappointment in midfielder pursuit

There are a number of areas in which Newcastle need to strengthen. It will take time for them to reshape their squad into one capable of challenging where they want to in the long-term.

But it seems a new midfielder is high on the agenda after recent reports detailed their pursuit of an elite player in that position as well.

As per Super Deporte, Newcastle have shown an interest in Real Madrid’s one-time Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric.

Now 36 years old, the Croatian playmaker remains a star man. However, his time at the Bernabeu may be coming to an end.

Modric is out of contract at the end of the season and Madrid’s policy is to only offer single-year renewals to players over 30.

However, the former Tottenham midfielder would prefer to see his longevity with the club rewarded with a slightly longer deal.

Amid the uncertainty, the idea of a return to the Premier League has apparently taken shape in his mind. Newcastle are said to be one of the interested parties.

There is also the option of returning to Tottenham. However, the report claimed Modric would reject both destinations.

He would, though, be open to joining reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

Either way, Newcastle will have to look elsewhere for a new midfielder. Although Grillitsch may not be of the same quality, he may be a longer-term option anyway.

READ MORE: Major U-turn sees Newcastle on pole for January signing of grumpy Brazil ace

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