A "terrific" Premier League player is "open to leaving" his current club to potentially join Newcastle United during the summer transfer window, according to former scout Mick Brown.

Newcastle targeting potential Isak replacements

The Alexander Isak saga continues to rumble on this summer, with Eddie Howe claiming that no club has come in and made an offer for him so far.

"He is still our player. He's contracted to us. We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control. We have not received a formal offer for Alex, from any club."

Newcastle continue to be linked with possible replacements, with former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic mentioned as a surprise option who could return to Tyneside following a string of rejections from their top targets this summer.

RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Brentford's Yoane Wissa are also leading options to move to the Magpies, but the former may be left to choose between St James' Park and Old Trafford amid interest from Manchester United.

Watkins "open to leaving" Aston Villa

Speaking to Football Insider, Brown, a long-time scout for Villa before retiring for punditry, claimed that Newcastle target striker Ollie Watkins is "open to leaving" Aston Villa this summer, possibly paving the way for a move to St James' Park.

"Man United have been looking at him as well, and now Newcastle are interested. I’m told it’s something Villa are going to be open to, and I think Watkins is open to leaving too. If clubs come in for him, he’s going to want to explore his options. Newcastle are preparing to lose Isak, so they’ve been looking at a lot of different players who could potentially come in and plug the gap he’s going to leave.

"Watkins is certainly on that list because he’s a top player and would be great for Newcastle. I was really pushing for Villa to sign him when I was there because he was the best option available to us, and eventually they went and got it done. Now he’s got Premier League and international experience, which make him ideal for Newcastle. It’s difficult to say what they’re going to do because they’ve missed out on so many players, but he is certainly one of the ones they’ve looked at."

At 29, the £130,000-a-week Watkins isn't getting any younger, but if Newcastle could sign both him and a younger option like Sesko, it could be great replacement business for Isak.

The Villa ace has now proven himself at the top level for a long time, scoring 75 goals in 184 Premier League appearances, as well as being lauded by Danny Murphy.

The fact that Watkins is happy to leave Villa is a big boost for Newcastle, and there should be no issues with him coming straight in and hitting the ground running at St James'.