Newcastle United have had to alter their transfer plans to include the signing of a new striker but are hoping to complete a deal to bring in England international Kieran Trippier next week as an early statement of intent.
Sources have told Telegraph Sport that although defensive reinforcements remain the priority, a calf injury to star striker Callum Wilson has also made the signing of a forward a pressing need for manager Eddie Howe.
Encouragingly, it is understood that Newcastle are confident they will be able to make signings early in the window and have been working hard on deals for several weeks.
A move to sign Trippier is thought to be the most advanced, although there is still some work to be done and there are plenty of other targets.
There have been inevitable issues with the inflated prices they have been quoted, as well as the wage demands of players and the size of commission payments to agents, but there is a growing confidence that Newcastle will be able to move quickly when the window opens.
“There is a price for Newcastle and a different one for every other club,” a senior source told Telegraph Sport. “But we know what needs to be done, the list of targets is there and we are working extremely hard to get them finalised as quickly as we can.
“Everyone knows we need players to help the ones we already have and the earlier we get them in January the better.”
Newcastle are still assessing the results of a scan on Wilson’s calf injury but the early diagnosis is not a good one, with the 29-year-old likely to be out for several weeks and all of the club’s games in January.
Newcastle are due to play Southampton on January 2, although that game may be called off following the postponement of their match against Everton tomorrow night because of a Covid outbreak.
They then face two other relegation rivals in Watford and Leeds United, as well as a FA Cup third round tie against Cambridge United before the end of January.
Newcastle only have one specialist centre forward in the squad in Dwight Gayle and he had been hoping to leave this month as he has hardly played this season.
Callum Wilson is likely to miss all of Newcastle's January games with a calf injury CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
When Wilson went off against Manchester United on Monday night, Howe sent on Jacob Murphy instead of Gayle, with Allan Saint Maximin - who is also injured - playing through the middle instead. Gayle eventually came on for the latter in the 83rd minute.
Despite the new problem to solve in attack, Newcastle’s main focus until this point has been defenders.
They are also working on a deal to sign Bournemouth centre back Lloyd Kelly and have discussed a loan move for Tottenham Hotspur’s Joe Rodon. Lille’s Dutch centre-back Sven Botman is another target.
The list of targets, though, is extensive and the club are sensibly refusing to give out names of those at the top of their list.
However, the interest in Trippier has been confirmed by several sources at the club and there is a chance that transfer could be confirmed early next week.
The 31-year-old played for Howe at Burnley and is understood to be very keen on making the move to St James’ Park despite the club’s perilous league position.
The full back has a £31m release clause in his contract at Atletico Madrid and as long as his wage demands do not prove too demanding he will be an excellent first addition to the squad under their new Saudi Arabian owners.
