Newcastle United are believed to be keeping tabs on Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Kouadio Kone, having previously been linked with the promising Frenchman over the summer.

What's the word?

That's according to journalist Craig Hope, with the respected insider revealing that the 21-year-old is one of the players who is on the Magpies' "radar", as manager Eddie Howe looks to strengthen his midfield ranks in the January transfer window.

In the attached piece for the Daily Mail, the report suggests that the youngster - as well as Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram - has received 'glowing reports' from the northeast side's scouting department, albeit with Premier League rivals Chelsea also believed to be interested.

This follows reports over the summer that suggested the Tynesiders were eyeing a possible swoop for a fee of around €35m (£31m), albeit with the former Toulouse man reportedly set to command closer to €45m (£40m) in the upcoming window.

He'd be a 'monstrous signing'

The 6 foot 1 sensation would seemingly be a worthwhile addition for Newcastle in 2023, with the emerging starlet potentially set to prove the answer to Howe's search for a new midfield recruit.

The £6k-per-week menace has been in sparkling form in the Bundesliga in recent times, showcasing his ball-playing prowess as he ranks in the top 1% in Europe among those in his position for dribbles completed.

The France U21 international has also illustrated his defensive brilliance so far this term after averaging 2.1 tackles per game from his 14 top-flight outings, while he also ranks in the top 20% in that regard.

Kone also appears to be able to offer a threat in the final third having scored four goals and registered two assists in 44 games for Gladbach to date, after previously providing seven goal involvements in 59 games during his stint in France.

Such all-round quality has seen the Colombes-born powerhouse lauded as a "monstrous box-to-box midfielder in the making" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, with Howe likely to welcome the chance to nurture a player of such exciting potential.

Also described as a "one-man army" by the aforementioned Kulig, the imposing gem appears to have a number of strings to his bow, offering a real threat with his ability to drive forward from deep, as well as win back possession effectively.

It should be a real coup for the Magpies to be able to land a player who is seemingly the "complete package", also in the words of Kulig, with such an addition likely to prove an ideal, long-term acquisition due to Kone's relative youth.