Dzeko And Martial Of Interest
There are only a handful of Newcastle players who are good enough for the Premier League and Callum Wilson is one. However, the Magpies' No9 cannot do it all on his own and adding at least one more reliable goalscorer this month is crucial.
Way down the Manchester United pecking order, Anthony Martial has consistently been linked with Newcastle. The Frenchman, 26, scored 17 times in the league back in 2019-20, proof of his undoubted quality. But with Cristiano Ronaldo dominating centre-forward minutes, he's fallen out of favour.
A £1million-a-month loan fee has been mooted for a player in need of a fresh start. Meanwhile, ex-Manchester City hitman Edin Dzeko, 35, is another reported target. The Bosnian has been a hit since joining Inter Milan on a free from Roma, already reaching double figures in all competitions.
Coutinho And Paqueta Links
The flanks are an area of relative strength in this anaemic Newcastle squad, with Allan Saint-Maximin, Ryan Fraser and Miguel Almiron all boasting pace and directness. But there is an over-reliance on Saint-Maximin to create openings for those ahead of him.
Barcelona's £105million flop Philippe Coutinho has been linked with a Tyneside switch since the club's £305m takeover.
While it's unlikely the Brazilian would be keen to trade his comfy life in Catalonia for a spell in the Championship, a six-month loan could do the trick for both parties – giving the Magpies a much-needed injection of star quality and Coutinho a chance to remind the world why Barca made him the world's third-most expensive player.
Another South American attacker linked with the North East is Lyon's Lucas Paqueta. Talks are so far advanced, in fact, that the former Milan No10 had rejected an £165k-a-week offer.
That suggests money alone will not cure all of Newcastle's ills. Under contract until 2025, this one might be off the table already.
Harry Winks On The Radar
In central midfield, Harry Winks put in a timely reminder of his ability as Tottenham drew 2-2 with Liverpool prior to Christmas, in just his third start of the season.
The England international is another who has been consistently linked with a move to St. James' after failing to secure a loan move away from North London last summer. The Magpies had been keen on the 25-year-old.
Defence Needs Strengthening
Further back, the defence is in dire need of upgrades. Ciaran Clark's error in the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City was Newcastle's wretched season in microcosm.
The Irishman will surely find his place under threat after ducking to allow Ruben Dias' opener, a matter of weeks after his ill-advised last-man foul against Norwich cost Newcastle precious points.
Atlético Madrid's England international Kieran Trippier has been linked with a return to England for a while now and Newcastle could offer the former Tottenham Hotspur wing-back, 31, a route home.
Fresh from winning LaLiga with Atleti, Trippier would represent a significant upgrade on Javier Manquillo and Emil Krafth at right-back, as well as some set-piece quality.
A central defender to partner skipper Jamaal Lascelles is another must for the struggling Magpies. Burnley stopper James Tarkowski is out of contract in the summer and a fee of around £10million should be enough to tempt the Clarets to part company with their central defensive linchpin.
Money will be no object for Newcastle in January, but convincing players they aren't boarding a sinking ship will be much harder.
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