Newcastle are searching for a centre-half before the window shuts to help shore up the second-worst defence in the Premier League.
The Magpies have conceded a staggering 43 goals in just 20 top-flight games this season as defensive frailties continue to cost Eddie Howe’s side.
Saturday's 1-0 at Leeds United brought a welcome clean sheet, but also saw injuries to defenders Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummett.
Sevilla’s Diego Carlos is their top target amid a reported £30million bid but talks have stalled as the La Liga club play hardball.
Howe admitted his frustrations at what he called a ‘fruitless week’ in the transfer market, with Newcastle's new owners finding it difficult to get players through the door.
ChronicleLive looks at five defenders the Magpies could swoop for in the final week of the winter window…
Malang Sarr
The French defender has barely featured for Chelsea since his free transfer from Nice in 2020.
Sarr earned caps for France at every level from U16 to U21 but, unsurprisingly, is yet to play for the senior side due to a lack of first-team action.
While the Blues will be reluctant to let Sarr leave, the Magpies could exploit the loan market and use the opportunity of regular football to prise away from Stamford Bridge.
James Tarkowski
A name that refuses to go away, Tarkowski’s contract is up at the end of the season and could be available for a cut-price fee.
Newcastle have already raided Burnley for their striker, which begs the question… would Clarets chairman Alan Pace be prepared to let his main defender leave, too?
Both sides’ current plight makes a deal unlikely as selling another player to the Magpies would set a dangerous precedent at Turf Moor.
However, money talks - and Newcastle have plenty of it.
Niklas Sule
Sule is another whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
The 26-year-old has been capped 37 times for Germany - scoring one goal - and fits the bill for the profile of player Staveley & Co are looking to bring in.
Munich-based journalist Christian Falk announced in November that talks had begun between both camps and Sule was ‘interested’ in the project of Tyneside.
This could be one to watch before the January 31 deadline.
Nat Phillips
Like Tarkowski, Liverpool’s forgotten man is a player who is constantly being linked with a move to Newcastle.
The Liverpool Echo claims the asking price for Phillips is £15million - despite the defender not playing a minute in the league this season.
He is expected to leave Merseyside this month.
Mason Holgate
The Everton defender could be allowed to leave on loan after making just eight top-flight appearances this season.
Holgate, who is comfortable at centre-back and right-back, was an unused substitute in the Toffees’ 3-2 FA Cup triumph against Hull and The Sun claim Newcastle are interested.
The 25-year-old is also attracting interest from Ligue 1 sides Monaco and Nice.
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