Could Newcastle United leave Brighton disappointed again by nabbing Afriyie Acquah?

Newly-promoted sides Newcastle United and Brighton have both been linked with a move for Torino midfielder Afriyie Acquah.

After seven games back in the Premier League, Newcastle United are seventh the table, just two points adrift of reigning champions Chelsea in the top four.

And much of The Magpies’ success is a credit to manager Rafael Benitez’s ability to organise and get the best out of the options at his disposal.

While Newcastle’s backline, particularly Jamaal Lascelles, should be praised for conceding less than a goal-a-game on average, the midfield has pitched in too.

Whether Jonjo Shelvey, Mikel Merino or Isaac Hayden, The Magpies have been solid in the centre of the park, restricting the space to opponents before springing counters at the other end.

But does Benitez need to enhance his options further in the January transfer window - with summer target Afriyie Acquah eyeing a move to the Premier League?

After Acquah

GhanaSoccerNet reported in May that the Torino midfielder was on Newcastle’s radar but Acquah himself came out later in the summer to say claims that he was about to move to Tyneside were wide of the mark.

Though with the Ghanaian out of favour at Torino, starting just one Serie A game all season, Calciomercato reports that the £6.7 million-rated, 29-time international would be open to moving to England at last.

Brighton are reported to have watched the 25-year-old, who models his game on Ghanaian legend Michael Essien, after a summer move to Birmingham City fell through.

Newcastle narrowly beat Brighton to the Championship title last season and it remains to be seen whether the two newly promoted sides will now go head-to-head in the transfer market in January.

A dynamic and hard-working central midfielder, Acquah certainly fits Benitez’s system and would offer extra quality in the middle of the park.

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