Rafa Benitez wants a creative midfielder and an attacking left back in the January transfer window, according to the Chronicle.
Miguel Almiron is reportedly the leading target to take up that playmaker role but there are apparently no outstanding candidates to come in and beef up the defensive line.
But looking across the Premier League, the solution could be found with another relegation battler – Southampton – and their second choice left back Matt Targett.
Targett spent last season on loan at Fulham and slotted straight into their attacking philosophy and has good top flight experience to boot.
Targett is currently deputising for the injured Ryan Bertrand at Southampton, but the former Chelsea man is not far away from a return, and he will expect to instantly be reinstated to the side when that happens.
But having pushed into the first team picture, Targett will be keen to get more of that and that’s why a switch to Newcastle may appeal.
The Magpies don’t have a huge budget, so perhaps a loan swoop for Targett could be the answer Benitez is looking for; the main stumbling block is whether the Saints would be happy to help out a relegation rival.