Newcastle tipped to move for Hogan

Newcastle are said to have turned their attention towards Brentford striker Scott Hogan.

The prolific Bees star has been linked with several clubs ahead of the January transfer window, with Reading reported to have offered £9m for him.

Norwich City, Aston Villa and more recently West Ham have also been linked with Hogan, who has been in brilliant form this season, scoring 13 times for Dean Smith’s side.

Now The Guardian’s deputy sports news editor Ed Aarons says Newcastle are interested in signing the 24-year-old.

Magpies boss Rafael Benitez is said to be keen to sign a striker next month in order strengthen his team’s promotion challenge.

The Daily Mail recently claimed that Brentford would be be willing to sell Hogan for £10m.

The Daily Mirror, on the other hand, reported that the club want at least £15m if they are to let him leave Griffin Park.

Brentford would have to pay Rochdale a slice of any transfer fee under the terms of the deal agreed when they sold him to the Bees in the summer of 2014.

He suffered a long-term knee injury soon after that move but has made an emphatic return to action, scoring 20 goals in 2016.