What went wrong at Brentford for Newcastle United?
The January transfer window is now just a matter of weeks away, with Newcastle United keen to bolster their squad for the second half of the season. Eddie Howe has had to keep his powder largely dry in the last two windows, but the Magpies head coach is hoping to get the green light to spend next month.
Just where United will look to strengthen - and how much funds they will have to do so - remains to be seen, but a central defender and a right-sided forward were priorities in the summer, and little has changed to alter that.
They will no doubt be linked with an array of players in the coming weeks, so here's a look at some of the potential deals that are currently being reported.
Belgian striker on radar
Newcastle United are reported to have watched Coventry City youngster Norman Bassette. The 20-year-old only moved to the Sky Blues in the summer, after making his debut for French side Caen aged just 16.
He won his first senior cap for Belgium in the last international break, coming on as a substitute against Israel, and has already caught the eye for Coventry. He cost the Midlands side around £2.5m in the summer, but United scouts reportedly watched him in their games at Sunderland and Middlesbrough this season.
New Coventry boss Frank Lampard has been impressed with Bassette, saying: “His speed, desire, pressing and finishing; his hunger for a goal is really evident in him and I love that, so all those things. We just have to take our time with him in terms of his development. He’s fresh here really, and made some really good steps recently and that’s good to see.
“I have competition at the top end of the pitch, which is a good thing as well, and we’ll have to use that, especially going into a three game week. But Norman has been very impressive to me and to us, not only in the games, including the ones I saw before we came in, but also in training as well. He’s a talent and we will work very closely with him.”
'Pole position' for Kevin Zenon
Newcastle are in 'pole position' to sign Argentina winger Kevin Zenon from Boca Juniors, according to reports in South America. The 23-year-old has been linked with the Magpies for several months, and has continued to impress this season.
Inter Milan, Spurs and Lyon are all said to be keen, but with a release clause of around £14m, Newcastle are supposedly at the head of the queue.
Bruno swap links
Stories linking United captain Bruno Guimaraes with Manchester City are nothing new, but latest reports have mooted a swap deal involving Matheus Nunes. Newcastle would be desperate to keep hold of their prized midfielder, but if they were in a position where they were forced to sell, then they would want to bring in as much revenue as they can for the Brazilian.