Transfer rumours: Hojbjerg to Newcastle, Munoz to Palace, Rowe to Villa

The Magpies have been searching for engine room reinforcements all month, but Financial Fair Play limitations have got in the way of their attempts to bolster Eddie Howe's squad.

Newcastle have already missed out on rumoured target Kalvin Phillips, who has signed for West Ham United on loan from Manchester City, but according to ChronicleLive, Hojbjerg has emerged as a possible alternative.

The Dane has fallen below Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma in the Tottenham pecking order since Ange Postecoglou took the reins in the summer, and he is only under contract in North London for another 18 months.

Any deal for Hojbjerg would only be a short-term move until the end of the season, but Newcastle may face competition from Juventus, who have admired the 28-year-old for some time.

Hojbjerg was named in the starting lineup for Spurs' FA Cup defeat to Manchester City on Friday, where he lost the ball twice near his own penalty area in the final 10 minutes, although both mistakes went unpunished.

Over at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace are believed to be on the verge of capturing Genk right-back Daniel Munoz on a permanent deal.

The 27-year-old has been free to talk to foreign clubs since entering the last six months of his contract with the Belgian club, whom he has represented since 2020.

Munoz has provided a consistent goal threat for Genk this season, netting seven strikes and setting up two more in 29 matches, but an exit now appears to be inevitable.

According to The South London Press, Crystal Palace are closing in on the signing of Munoz, who allegedly refused to train with Genk in order to force through a move to Palace.

The Colombia international is understood to have arrived for his medical on Friday, and Palace will pay around £8.5m to buy him out of his Genk contract.

Munoz will depart the Belgian club with a record of 19 goals and 20 assists from 148 games in all tournaments, and he was a part of the Colombia squad to reach the semi-finals of the 2021 Copa America.

Once Munoz is through the door, Palace could supposedly try again for Blackburn Rovers' Adam Wharton, whom they have already seen one bid turned down for during the current window.

Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson recently confirmed to the media that his side had rebuffed an offer from an unnamed club for the 19-year-old, believed to be an £18.5m approach from Palace.

Blackburn were also pushing to keep Wharton on loan for the second half of the season should he commit his future to Palace, who remain undeterred in their pursuit of the Englishman.

According to the Daily Mail, Roy Hodgson's side are now contemplating a fresh bid for Wharton, who is also on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Newcastle United.

Blackburn can afford to demand a premium figure for the teenager, who extended his Rovers contract until the end of the 2027-28 season only a few weeks ago.

Wharton has two goals and three assists under his belt from 26 Championship matches in the 2023-24 campaign, and he has already earned two caps for England's Under-20s.

Speaking of young players making waves in the Championship, are apparently keeping a close eye on the progress of Norwich City winger Jon Rowe.

The 20-year-old is enjoying a breakout season in the Canaries attack with 13 goals and four assists in 31 matches in all tournaments, including 12 strikes from 27 Championship contests.

Rowe's second-tier exploits have attracted glances from the Premier League, with both Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford understood to be monitoring his performances.

Now, the Daily Mail claims that Aston Villa have joined the list of top-tier clubs running the rule over the Englishman, who is only under contract at Carrow Road until the summer of 2025.

However, the Lions are still thought to be prioritising the signing of Middlesbrough Morgan Rogers, whom they have made a third bid for after seeing two offers rejected earlier this month.

Rowe was handed his debut for England's Under-21s by Lee Carsley in October, coming off the bench to score in a 9-1 obliteration of Serbia in European Championships qualifying.