Newcastle United are in discussions with Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco's agent ahead of a potential move in this January transfer window.

What's the story?

The Magpies are set for a very busy deadline day, and Eddie Howe's side are now seemingly in the market for what would be a record-breaking swoop for the club in Belgium international Carrasco, who has a staggering release clause of €60m (£49.8m).

Writing on Twitter, reliable Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna said: "Info: Discussions in progress between Pini Zahavi, the new agent of Yannick Carrasco, and #Tottenham and #Newcastle. Both clubs are ready to pay his 60M release clause € before the end of the transfer window. Contract negotiations started with Pini Zahavi."

More exciting than Bruno Guimaraes

Of the three main signings that the club have already announced this month in the January transfer window, Bruno Guimaraes' arrival from Lyon is surely the most eye-catching one, especially given the size of the fee involved (£40m).

However, if a deal for Carrasco gets pulled off at the 11th hour, then that would certainly eclipse it - not just in terms of the money, but also in respect to the kind of profile of player they would be getting.

The Belgian has been operating at the highest level for a number of years now, and has the trophy cabinet to prove it too, winning La Liga last season under Diego Simeone and also lifting the Europa League a couple of seasons ago too.

Carrasco has been a regular for a team who are again competing at the very top of the Spanish top-flight, making 20 appearances in the league (he's only missed one game all season), netting two goals and providing five assists.

The 28-year-old is the kind of 'big-name player' who would resonate across Europe if he were to make the move to St James' Park, with people sitting up and taking notice at how someone of his calibre and experience is willing to join the burgeoning project on Tyneside.

 

With 54 caps for Belgium and appearances in both the World Cup and European Championship to his name too, Carrasco has a CV which would arguably make him an even more exciting capture than Bruno.

The €150k-a-week (£125k) earner would be the icing on the cake for what has been a very successful transfer window thus far for Newcastle United.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have had a bid accepted for this man...