Newcastle are keen to complete at least four more transfers before the January window closes, 90min understands.
Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood were the first two signings of the new era at St James’ Park, but both manager Eddie Howe and the club hierarchy are well aware that more recruits are needed to help Newcastle out of their current relegation battle.
The next man through the door is expected to be Lyon’s Bruno Guimaraes. A deal has already been agreed with both club and player, and it is now a case of finalising all the details before the 24-year-old becomes Howe’s third signing.
With that transfer almost wrapped up, Newcastle are now working on their remaining areas of concern and want to bring in a new striker, centre-back and left-back.
The Magpies are in negotiations with Arsenal over a permanent deal for striker Eddie Nketiah, while talks are still on with Atalanta and Reims over Duvan Zapata and Hugo Ekitike respectively.
Conversations have slowed down over Ekitike since Newcastle had a bid rejected earlier this month, but a channel of communication has always remained open with Reims and sources have stressed to 90min that a move remains a real possibility.
Howe’s search for a left-back has led to Bayer Leverkusen’s Mitchel Bakker, but for the second time this month, negotiations look to have broken down between the two clubs. Sassuolo’s Rogerio has been lined up as a possible alternative, and a move could be revived now that a deal for Bakker looks difficult to do.
Brighton centre-back Dan Burn is also a target for Newcastle, although the Seagulls are also unwilling to part company with their 6’7 player and will take some convincing to sell between now and the end of the month.
There’s also still the possibility of Newcastle bringing in Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno on loan, with the German now firmly behind Aaron Ramsdale in the pecking order.
The Gunners have already agreed a summer deal for New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner, effectively signalling the end for Leno, but it’s unclear whether or not he sees Newcastle as the right landing spot.
In any case, a decision has not yet been made by Newcastle over whether to pursue a deal, with the Magpies keen to ensure their two domestic loan spots are taken up by the right players.
This article was originally published on 90min as Newcastle hoping for at least 4 new signings before January deadline.
Source: www.90min.com