NEWCASTLE are ready to splash their newly-gotten Saudi cash in the January transfer window as they desperately attempt to avoid relegation.
And SunSport has explored how the Toon could line-up with some of the new faces they have been linked with – including Kieran Trippier, Ousmane Dembele and Axel Witsel.
Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has been one of few bright lights in a pretty grim few years for the Magpies – who sit 19th in the Premier League and three points from safety.
But Newcastle are still said to have made contact with Benfica over a move for their Greek international stopper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
They have been linked with the ‘new Jan Oblak’ for more than a year and could swoop for the 27-year-old next month.
SunSport revealed earlier this month that new boss Eddie Howe wants Atletico Madrid and England right-back Kieran Trippier.
And the former Burnley boss is also keen on Clarets centre-backs James Tarkowski and Ben Mee.
The trio could line up alongside Lille’s 21-year-old centre-back star Sven Botman.
The Dutchman has been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham in the past.
But ambitious Toon want to trump their Prem rivals for their ‘primary target’.
With Lille set to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League, however, it will take an ‘exceptional’ offer for the French side to sell mid-season.
Botman is under contract in France until 2025, so Newcastle may need to bid around £40million to land him.
Manchester City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko could also follow in their footsteps with the Ukrainian struggling for game time this season.
In midfield, Aaron Ramsey’s agent is said to be working on a January exit from Juventus for the Welshman – with Newcastle keen.
The former Arsenal star is not in Juve boss Max Allegri’s plans and the Old Lady are willing to sell for a ‘minimal fee’.
TOON TOP TRUMPS
Although they may work together on a deal for Ramsey, Newcastle and Juve could go head-to-head over Borussia Dortmund centre-midfielder Axel Witsel.
The Belgian’s contract is up at the end of the season.
Witsel, 32, is into his fourth year at Dortmund and he could be ready for a new challenge in a different league.
But Newcastle’s proposal of £160,000-a-week will ‘completely trump what the Italian giants can afford’.
Further up the field, SunSport exclusively revealed Newcastle are lining up a £20m move for Stoke forward Tyrese Campbell, 21.
But the son of former Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell is unlikely to get in Howe’s team ahead of Callum Wilson.
Allan Saint-Maximin and Wilson are two of few Toon players to be in with the chance of a long-term future at St James’ Park.
But the attacking duo may have a new face to help bang in the goals with Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele being linked.
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The 24-year-old Frenchman will become a free agent in the summer when his deal at the Nou Camp comes to an end.
And he will be available to talk to other clubs about signing a pre-contract agreement as early as January.
Newcastle are said to be keen but they look set to face competition from Tottenham.
