The left-back position continues to be the problem area for Newcastle United boss Glenn Roeder, and he has had no joy trying to coax Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho into selling Wayne Bridge. So, according to reports in Sunday's newspapers, he is keeping tabs on Southampton youngster Gareth Bale.
The 17-year-old left-back became Wales' youngest ever goalscorer when he netted another Beckham-style free kick in Saturday's 5-1 defeat to Slovakia in Cardiff.
But, when the transfer windows reopens in January, the floodgates will open because Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool are thought to be pondering a bid.