Newcastle United are keen on signing a ‘world class’ player with 37 goal contributions last season, according to a recent report.

The Magpies will be without European football next term after Manchester United defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final to qualify for the Europa League, thus bumping Chelsea down the UEFA Conference League – taking their spot.

Eddie Howe will be desperate to return to Europe next season and will be drawing up a list of targets ready for the summer window.

That said, it has just emerged that Newcastle have identified a ‘world class’ target.

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Newcastle United want to sign Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley

According to the Chronicle, Newcastle United have been scouting Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old is also attracting interest from Leicester City and Leeds United, who face Southampton in the Championship playoff final this afternoon.

O’Riley netted 19 goals whilst laying on 18 assists last term, taking his total contributions to a whopping 37.

The Scottish champions are expected to demand around £30m for his signature.

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Matt O’Riley statistics

It’s no surprise a number of clubs are looking at the Denmark international when you take a look at his impressive FBref statistics.

O’Riley ranks in the top one per cent for expected assisted goals compared to his positional peers across Europe.

Further, he sits in the top seven per cent for progressive passes received, evincing his excellent movement in and around pockets of space.

If The Magpies do land his signature, he’d be a very neat acquisition.

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