NEWCASTLE UNITED are pursuing a policy of targeting the best young players from around the world – with sporting director Dan Ashworth leading the strategy.

The Magpies have completed one signing so far this month, but while Australian teenager Garang Kuol was recruited from Central Coast Mariners, he was immediately shipped off to Scottish Premier League side Hearts on a season-long loan.

Newcastle have been linked with a number of other talented youngsters, most notably teenage German forward Youssoufa Moukoko, who is involved in a contract stand-off with Borussia Dortmund.

Eddie Howe is pursuing some first-team transfer priorities, and is keen to add further competition at left-back and in central midfield, but the Magpies head coach is happy to allow Ashworth to take the lead when it comes to targeting emerging youngsters.

“There’s definitely a want from the club to sign and develop young players,” said Howe, who was speaking ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s Premier League home game with Fulham. “It’s not just about signing young players, it’s also about then developing them within our academy, and that’s part of a much wider shift and focus towards youth.

“There will possibly be more deals done where young players come in and go into the academy setting and develop behind the scenes, or go out on loan and develop their careers with a view to hopefully at one stage coming into our first-team environment.

“For me, I only have to so much time to look at targets, so I have to really focus on what we need now. So, it’s sort of separate from my remit really – it’s more of a club thing that goes on behind the scenes with scouts, and Dan Ashworth will lead that.

“For me, it has to be about the first team, but I certainly back that idea and I think it’s important that we do try to sign some of the best young talent from around the world, while also developing our own young players here at Newcastle.”

As well as being linked with a number of possible additions, it has also been suggested that the Magpies could be willing to move some players on this month.

Matt Ritchie and Ryan Fraser have been touted for possible departures, while Elliot Anderson is the subject of strong loan interest from a host of clubs in the Championship.

Howe ruled out allowing Anderson to leave on loan last week, and while he has stopped short of categorically ruling out any permanent departures, he does not really want to lose anyone from his current squad.

“There’s not a huge desire in me to sell anyone this window,” he said. “But – and there’s always a but – it depends on what’s presented to you.

“You could have an idea that you want to keep the whole group together, but then something comes leftfield where you think or the club thinks that that’s a good deal to do.

“Certainly, my intention is to try to develop what we have rather than lose anybody. I don’t think we’re necessarily at the stage where we’re overloaded with numbers or overloaded with quality. That’s my intention as I see it now.”