According to reports by HITC Sport, Brighton and Hove Albion are lining up a £4m bid to sign Bournemouth midfielder Andrew Surman before the transfer window slams shut on January 31.
HITC Sport says that Seagulls boss Chris Hughton is a big fan of the 31-year-old having worked with him during his time in charge of Norwich City previously, and he believes the experienced player could be a key addition in the second-half of the campaign as the south coast outfit look to avoid being dragged into a Premier League relegation battle.
Surman has been an important part of the Cherries side that has done so well in the top flight, but he only has 18 months left on his Bournemouth contract and their south coast rivals are ready to swoop.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United remain in trouble at the foot of the table themselves as they could only draw 1-1 against bottom side Swansea City, and Magpies boss Rafa Benitez will be looking to strengthen his squad before the end of the month despite there being little progress made with a proposed takeover.
The Spaniard may look to add some quality in central areas, and bringing Surman to St James' Park could prove to be a shrewd move.
Here are three reasons Newcastle must hijack Brighton's bid to sign the South African-born star…
Potential Shelvey replacement
The Express reported on January 9 that Newcastle midfielder Shelvey is a £12m target for West Ham United this month, with the 25-year-old understood to be keen on a return to the capital.
However, The Express also said that no deal would happen until the Magpies found a replacement for the England international, and Surman could be the answer in the middle of the park.
The 31-year-old has plenty of experience and is decent in possession, and his arrival would help soothe the exit of someone that has been a key player on Tyneside at times.
His qualities
There is no doubt that Surman's main quality is his ability on the ball and his concentration, and according to WhoScored.com he has a passing accuracy of 84% in 17 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth this season.
That is actually down on previous seasons – according to a report in The Express in March 2016 only Cesc Fabregas was a more accurate passer statistically at the time – as the 31-year-old is now allowed to be more expressive and take more risks while in possession, and he has shown on occasions that he has the passing array that can unlock opposition defences – much like Shelvey.
Surman also has 77 Premier League matches under his belt now and having helped Bournemouth stay up against all of the odds in two consecutive seasons, his experience and know-how could be vital for Newcastle in the second-half of the campaign.
Price tag
With no progress with a proposed takeover and with Mike Ashley keen to sell, Benitez is unlikely to be given a huge transfer fund to bring new players to the club before January 31.
It will mean that he could be looking for bargains within in the market, and he should certainly be taking a keen interest in Surman if Newcastle could get him for around the £4m mark.
With the quality on the ball he has and the experience he would bring to St James' Park, he could prove to be a shrewd purchase who helps the Magpies secure their Premier League status in May.
Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.