An update has emerged regarding Newcastle United's pursuit of Montpellier forward Stephy Mavididi...

What's the talk?

According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies are among the clubs interested in a deal to sign the former Arsenal attacker this month.

The report claims that Brighton and Crystal Palace are also monitoring his progress, with a fee in the region of £15m being touted.

Imagine him & Wood

Imagine a strike force of Wood and Mavididi lining up for Newcastle in the Premier League in the coming weeks with Callum Wilson out injured!

If Howe can secure a deal for the 23-year-old, he could be an ideal player to slot in alongside the New Zealand marksman due to his style of play and physique. The 5 foot 9 forward is in a similar mould to Wilson in the sense that he is more likely to cause problems with his pace and footwork than physically or in the air, which could complement Wood brilliantly.

 

Former Charlton boss Lee Bowyer once compared Mavididi to a greyhound because of his electric pace, saying: “There was one time we broke and we had Stephy and Sullay (Kaikai) breaking and it was like two greyhounds in a race – look at how quick they are.

“We’re very fortunate, we’ve got these types of players at the club., if we can get them right and get them all fit for the remaining eight games, it’s going to be exciting times.”

This suggests that the 23-year-old could be the perfect partner for Wood if Howe wants to play a 4-4-2 system, as he could be the one to make runs in behind and play off of the former Burnley man. The 6 foot 2 New Zealand international has won 5.5 aerial battles per game in the Premier League this season, which suggests that Mavididi could have numerous chances per match to run in behind and create chances from Wood's flick-ons.

Karl Robinson, a former manager of his during a loan spell at Charlton, previously claimed that the young striker has a "bright future" , and this mooted transfer could be an investment for the future as well as one to make an immediate difference. At the age of 23, Mavididi has plenty of scope for development left in him, and he could be a player with whom Howe works over time to improve his game.

He is capable of playing through the middle or out wide and has been in fine form this season, with six goals and three assists in Ligue 1, after scoring nine goals last term, suggesting that he could have the end product to make the most of his prospective partnership with Wood.

That tantalising propsect means that Newcastle must do everything in their power to try and lure Mavididi back to England.

AND in other news, Player keen: Howe must seal NUFC deal to land "world-class" maestro, he's Cabaye 2.0...