Newcastle home in on Butterfield

Newcastle United appear to have gotten over the line first in the race for Barnsley’s midfielder Jacob Butterfield, according to a report from Sky Sports.

Butterfield has not played for the Tykes since injuring his knee on New Year’s Eve, but his impressive Championship form in the first half of the season managed to attract Alan Pardew and his merry team of scouts.

North East media outlet The Journal first had news of Newcastle’s interest from early January and it is understood that the Magpies want to swarm down and get their man before he slips into the clutches of another club.

Newly promoted Premier League club Reading were reported to have held talks with the midfielder at the beginning of April according to a Daily Mirror exclusive, and with Aston Villa, Everton and Southampton also rumoured to be keeping tabs on the 21 year old, Newcastle are ready to talk business.

Butterfield is out of contract at Oakwell in the summer, but Barnsley will still get some cash, believed to be in the region of £1 million, from his seemingly inevitable exit as he is still a relatively young nipper below the 24 years cut off point.

With doubts over Danny Guthrie’s new contract and talks held until the end of the season, Butterfield is seen as the perfect central-midfield cover if Guthrie doesn’t sign on at St James’ Park, sorry, Sports Direct Arena.

Butterfield has spoken previously of his desire to step-up into the Premier League and was quoted in The Journal’s initial story as wanting a chance to prove himself. Oakwell manager Keith Hill is already resigned to losing his creative midfielder, despite offering him a new deal, which remains dormant on a Yorkshire desk.

Although currently in the clutches of the physio as he attempts to get over his New-Year cruciate knee ligament injury, it is expected he will have recuperated in time for the pre-season programme.

@AdamGray1250

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Comments

[Pedant]

It is hone in not home in!