Sources at Newcastle United have played down speculation that they are eyeing up a move for unsettled Everton midfielder James McCarthy, according to Press Association Sport.
The £20million-rated Republic of Ireland international appears to be surplus to requirements at Goodison Park since the arrival of new manager Ronald Koeman and has been linked with a series of potential suitors in recent days.
However, club insiders have insisted McCarthy is not on Newcastle's radar as his current employers wait to discover the extent of a groin injury which prevented him from taking part in Saturday's 1-0 home win over Stoke.
United signed Ipswich striker Daryl Murphy and Palermo's Morocco international full-back Achraf Lazaar in the last 48 hours and are aiming to make their 12th summer signing with a loan deal for Chelsea midfielder Christian Atsu before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.
The Magpies are in talks with both the club and the player and hope to bring the 24-year-old Ghana international to St James' Park for the remainder of the season.
Atsu joined the Blues in a £3.5million switch from Porto in September 2013 but is yet to make a senior appearance for the club and has been loaned out to Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, Bournemouth and Malaga since his arrival.
