Newcastle United tipped to seal five transfers in January - this is who they could sign

Newcastle United are running on empty and are desperate for their lengthy injury list to show some signs of easing ahead of the crucial festive period.

Already robbed of the services of key players such as Sven Botman and Callum Wilson for large parts of the the season, there was a further blow for Eddie Howe last weekend when Nick Pope suffered a serious shoulder injury that will see him miss the vast majority of the remainder of the campaign.

There is some light at the end of the tunnel as there is genuine hope Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes and Sean Longstaff will be back in contention over the next ten days as the Magpies prepare to face a tough looking away day at Tottenham Hotspur before hosting AC Milan in their final Champions League group stage fixture.

However, with Fulham, Chelsea, Luton Town and Nottingham Forest also on the agenda by the new the new year arrives, Howe will have his fingers crossed that his already depleted squad can remain injury-free to cope with a hectic schedule.

But the new year will bring new hope as the January transfer window opens and the Magpies have already been linked with a number of weird and wonderful names in the media at home and abroad. Some have a degree of accuracy in them, some are not even on the agenda within the St James Park hierarchy - but who could the Magpies realistically bring in during the first month of the new year as they look to compete for major honours on a number of fronts?

Kalvin Phillips - Manchester City

The interest in the Manchester City midfielder is a long-standing one and has its roots in his time as a Leeds United player. It would be foolish to suggest Phillips' move to the Etihad Stadium has been anything even approaching positive, as he has been forced to play a bit-part role in a successful City side.

His state on flux provoked an apology from City boss Pep Guardiola on Friday as he said: "I don't know what's going to happen. I feel so sorry for my decision for him. I've said that many times.

"He doesn't deserve what has happened to him and I'm so sorry. The only thing I can say about him is I am asking for good personalities and characters and he is a perfect example. And after that I have to give him something and I didn't do that."

As Phillips needs regular first-team football to challenge for a place in England's Euro 2024 Final and Newcastle are a battling financial fair play regulations, a loan deal could work for all parties and allow the situation to be reassessed at the end of the season.

Hugo Ekitike - Paris Saint-Germain

Another long-term target and one that could see Newcastle have to swallow some pride after the French youngster rejected advances from the Magpies on two previous occasions.

Ekitike looked set to move to St James Park in the January 2022 transfer window before opted against a switch at the eleventh hour to remain at Reims. A second offer was also rebuffed six months later as he joined PSG on an initial loan deal that was converted into a permanent move this summer. However, Ekitike has struggled to make an impact at the Parc des Princes and is believed to be available in January.

Newcastle need to boost their forward options and, once again, a loan deal could work for all parties and hand the young forward a chance to reignite what was a promising career that has seemingly stalled.

Serhou Guirassy - VFB Stuttgart

Despite the well-reported wealth of their owners, Newcastle's attempts to contend with financial fair play regulations means they must be prudent in their approach in January and must look to value for money deals.

That means considering players heading into the final months of their current deals or those with release clauses - and Stuttgart's in-form striker Guirassy reportedly falls into the latter of those two categories.

The 12-times capped Guinea international has plundered his way to 18 goals in just 13 games in all competitions so far this season and is said to have a release clause of around £15m in his current deal. There is severe competition for his services - but if Newcastle can win that race, they would acquire a genuine competitor and alternative to Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.

David de Gea - Free Agent

Now, firstly, it is important to point out current Magpies goalkeeper Martin Dubravka will be handed a chance to earn a regular place in the aftermath of Nick Pope's potentially season-ending injury. The Slovakia star started Thursday night's 3-0 defeat at Everton and will remain in place for the time being.

However, other goalkeepers will be considered if Dubravka does not impress and that could lead to a move for former Manchester United stopper De Gea. Still a free agent despite interest from Saudi Arabia and La Liga, the 45-times capped Spain international will have to accept a significant reduction in the reported £375,000-a-week he was earned in the final years of his time at Old Trafford but would provide Howe with a top class goalkeeper to cover for Pope's absence.

Yankuba Minteh - Feyenoord

Technically, we have cheated a little here - but there is serious consideration being taken over the next steps in Minteh's career. The former Odense winger joined the Magpies in a £6m deal last summer before being immediately sent on a season-long loan to Eredivise champions Feyenoord.

The 19-year-old has impressed at the De Kuip Stadium, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 16 appearances across all competitions. Newcastle are not believed to have a break clause in Minteh's loan agreement with Feyenoord and would have to pay a fee to bring him back to Tyneside in January - but Eddie Howe has already confirmed that is under consideration in the wake of the lengthy injury list at St James Park.