Newcastle fans can celebrate if they bring in reported loan target Gelson Martins

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Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid’s Gelson Martins on loan for the rest of the season.

According to AS, the Magpies are in pole position to loan the 23-year-old and beat the likes of Arsenal and Monaco to his signature.

It is understood that Rafael Benitez’s side are prepared to pay the fee of between £3.5million and £4.4million to take bring him to St James’ Park on a temporary basis.

The report details that Martins’ exit from Atletico could be completed by the weekend and he could be set for a first stint in the Premier League.

Benitez has been restricted to a tight budget during his time in the North East, but will finally have reason to cheer if they sign Martins.

Martins would be an elite addition to the Newcastle squad even on loan and would inject some real quality to the attack.

There is a real shortage of goals in the final third for Benitez’s side this season, but the Portugal international may be able to lend a hand with that.

He has struggled to make an impact with Atletico this season with mainly substitute appearances, but is a highly-rated talent that proved his quality last year.

The right-winger scored 13 goals and supplied 13 assists across all competitions last season for Sporting CP, with his experience of Champions League football an indication of his level.

Newcastle would have some player on their hands if Martins can get back to his best and the speed machine is the type of first-rate signing supporters at St James’ Park crave.