Magpies join Saints in admiring Manning

Newcastle United reportedly scouted QPR full-back Ryan Manning – who has also been linked to Southampton – on Saturday. The Magpies took a look at Manning during his side’s 2-0 Championship defeat by Leeds United at Elland Road.
The Northern Echo first reported Newcastle’s interest in the 23-year-old and now Football Insider claim Steve Bruce’s scouting staff will keep a close watch over him ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
And United are not the first Premier League club to cotton on to the Republic of Ireland international’s potential, with Southampton reported to be interested in him earlier this season.
Manning is out of contract at Loftus Road in the summer and could be had for a bargain fee of somewhere between £2million and £3million.
Queens Park Rangers, who currently sit 10th in the Championship, do have an option to extend his contract by 12 months.
Manning has started all of QPR’s 15 Championship games at left-back this season, having been converted from a dogged midfield player.
He has scored two Championship goals himself and supplied three assists, one of which sparked his side’s comeback win over Sheffield Wednesday on August 31.
Newcastle’s sudden interest could suggest the club are not overly convinced by Jetro Willems’ output so far after the Dutchman joined on a season-long loan deal from Eintracht Frankfurt.
The left-back’s St James’ Park career did not get off to the best of starts as he came off the bench, played in the wrong position, and gave the ball away in the build-up to Arsenal’s winning goal in Newcastle’s opening day defeat.
The 25-year-old has improved since then and reports in August from Kicker claimed Newcastle were keen to take advantage of an 11million euros purchase clause in the loan deal next summer.
However, that figure would be way in excess of the fee QPR would demand for Manning – even if they do take up the contract option to extend his deal until 2021.