NEWCASTLE UNITED are hoping to pull off a double transfer coup as they line up deals for Barcelona starlet Carles Alena and Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend.

Having already signed Christian Atsu in a £6.2m deal from Chelsea, Rafael Benitez is keen to tie up as many agreements as possible before the transfer window officially reopens at the start of July.

He is looking to make improvements all over the field, but is especially interested in his side’s attacking-midfield positions.

Newcastle’s scouting operation monitored Alena throughout the second half of last season, and Benitez is now ready to make a formal approach for the highly-rated 19-year-old, who is set to be available on a season-long loan.

Alena spent the majority of last season playing for Barcelona’s B team in Segunda Division B, although he also made a handful of appearances for the Spanish side’s senior line-up.

An attacking midfielder capable of playing as a ‘number ten’ or in a wide position, he made his first-team debut in November, scoring in a Copa del Rey draw with Hercules, and made his first appearance in La Liga when he replaced Ivan Rakitic in Barcelona’s 4-1 win over Granada last month.

He is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Barcelona’s academy set-up, but his employers are keen for him to gain experience at a more senior level next season and have a track record for scattering their youth players around Europe in order to broaden their horizons.

Arsenal have also been linked with Alena, but they would rather buy the youngster outright and would not be in a position to offer much first-team action next term. Benitez will talk up the possibility of senior action in the Premier League when he talks with Barcelona officials, and is hopeful of being able to strike a deal.

The Northern Echo:

READY TO MOVE: Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez

The situation with Townsend is markedly different, with Newcastle’s recruitment team hoping to exploit the current uncertainty at Selhurst Park as they look to strike a permanent deal for their former winger.

Townsend left Newcastle to join Palace after the Eagles triggered a £13m release clause in his contract last summer, but Benitez remains a strong admirer of the England international and was keen to re-sign him in January.

That move failed to get off the ground when Mike Ashley balked at Palace’s £18m asking price, but with Sam Allardyce having left Palace in a shock move at the start of last week, the Newcastle hierarchy are hoping to take advantage of the current vacuum of power at Selhurst Park.

Magpies officials are set to make a move for Townsend later this week, and are hoping the 25-year-old could push for a return to St James’ Park rather than opt to remain with Palace when there is so much uncertainty about the London club’s future direction.

The Northern Echo:

TRANSFER TARGET: Andros Townsend

Townsend left on good terms when his relegation release clause was triggered last summer, and Benitez, who has also been linked with possible moves for former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina and Manchester City centre-half Eliaquim Mangala, continues to regard the former Magpie as one of the most talented wide players in the Premier League.

There should be some confirmed movement out of St James’ this week, with Newcastle poised to announce that Yoan Gouffran and Vurnon Anita have both been released following the end of their contracts.

The Magpies could also wave goodbye to Grant Hanley, with Derby County extremely interested in signing the centre-half. However, as things stand, the Rams are unwilling to meet Newcastle’s £5m asking price for Hanley, who was restricted to just five Championship starts last season.