Everyone Newcastle United have been linked with ahead…

Everyone Newcastle United have been linked with ahead of the January transfer window

Newcastle United's next chance at strengthening their squad is fast approaching with the January transfer window set to open in just over a months time.

The Magpies currently sit third in the Premier League having enjoyed a magnificent start to the season under Eddie Howe.

No one would have expected Newcastle to be challenging for the top four this early in the post-Mike Ashley era.

But the reality is, Newcastle have a golden opportunity to qualify for the Champions League this term if they can keep up their good form.

So far this season when playing against last terms top four, they have beaten Chelsea and Tottenham, drawn with Manchester City and lost in injury time to Liverpool. The loss to Liverpool is the only defeat Eddie Howe and co have tasted this season to date.

The prospect of qualifying for the Champions League this season could be an enticing one for Newcastle's ownership, so much so they might look to spend big in January.

With that in mind, ChronicleLive takes a look at some of the names the Magpies have been linked with in recent weeks who could bolster their ranks...

Marcus Thuram

French international Marcus Thuram is out of contract with Borussia Monchengladbach at the end of the season.

The forward, who has bagged 13 goals in 17 games this term in Germany, has been linked with a host of clubs lately, one of which includes Newcastle.

Recently, the Sun claimed Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham were all interested in landing the 25-year-old. Due to his contract situation, Thuram could be available at a cut-rate price in January.

Attila Szalai

Fenerbahçe defender Attila Szalai has also been linked with a move to the Premier League recently, with Newcastle said to be battling it out with Leicester and West Ham United for the Hungarian internationals services.

At 6ft 4in, Szalai is a towering defender who is capable at bringing the ball out from the back.

According to Turkish outlet Turkiye Gazetesi, the Magpies, Foxes and Hammers are all chasing Szalai who has won 31 caps for his country.

Mykhaylo Mudryk

Ukrainian starlet Mykhaylo Mudryk is another name to have been linked with Newcastle United ahead of the January transfer window.

The winger, who can play off both flanks, is reportedly open to a move to the Premier League in the near future, with Football Insider claiming the Magpies are just one of the clubs interested in landing the 21-year-old.

It's unlikely Mudryk would come cheap, especially with the likes of Arsenal also said to be keen on the winger. But it certainly would be an interesting signing if it did happen.

Andrey Santos

Brazilian teenager Andrey Santos is someone Newcastle are said to have been monitoring for some time now.

This past summer saw Steve Nickson travel out to Brazil on a scouting mission with Newcastle keen to explore a market they believe could prove fruitful when it comes to unearthing potential gems.

In October, 90min reported the Magpies were interested in Vasco da Gama midfielder Andrey Santos, who recently revealed he admires Bruno Guimaraes.

While Santos himself confirmed earlier this month their were no concrete offers for his services, he looks to be an exciting prospect that Newcastle should continue to keep tabs on.

James Maddison

Leicester City's James Maddison was one of Newcastle's big summer transfer window targets.

However, the two sides were some distance away when it came to agreeing upon a transfer fee, with the Foxes holding out for around £60m for the talented England international.

Maddison has produced a number of sensational performances for Leicester this term which helped him secure a spot on the plane to Qatar as part of England's World Cup squad.

While Newcastle are still interested in the 26-year-old, they would likely have to break their wage structure in order to sign him according to Sky Sports Keith Downie.

"What Newcastle would have to do for James Maddison is break their wage structure," Downie told GIVEMESPORT.

"Obviously, he’s going to be wanting significantly more than he’s on at Leicester with his contract running down. It’s just whether Newcastle are willing to go to that number."

Maximo Perrone

Another example of Newcastle looking to utilise the South American market is their reported interest in Argentinian starlet Maximo Perrone.

Argentine outlet Diario Popular recently claimed the Velez Sarsfield midfielder has been subject to interest from Tyneside, with a deal of around £12m mooted for the 19-year-old.

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