NEWCASTLE are lining up a shock double transfer swoop on Arsenal, according to reports.
The Magpies face a crucial January transfer window amid poor form, a depleted squad littered with injuries, Sandro Tonali banned and financial restrictions making money tight.
Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento all arrived for big money in the summer with Chris Wood and Allan Saint-Maximin the two significant departures.
But with the Toon already close to profit and sustainability rules limits, it is understood Eddie Howe is targeting loan deals and free agents for the second half of the season.
A versatile forward to add goals, a midfielder to cover for Tonali and a goalkeeper while Nick Pope is sidelined by his shoulder injury are among the key priorities.
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And according to The Athletic, two of those holes could be plugged by Arsenal outcasts - Aaron Ramsdale and Emile Smith Rowe.
Ramsdale, 25, is warming the bench this season following David Raya's arrival from Brentford and, despite Mikel Arteta's promise to rotate his goalkeepers, the £30million England international is barely getting a look in.
Howe signed Ramsdale at Bournemouth and therefore the pair know each other well.
And if a loan move can be negotiated, it could suit all parties.
David De Gea has also been linked with a switch to St James' Park.
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But although a free agent, the Spaniard would demand big wages and be a direct threat to Pope as the No1 choice.
Sam Johnstone at Crystal Palace and Tottenham's forgotten man Hugo Lloris are other targets.
Further forward, Smith Rowe could be lined up to inject some added creativity into the Newcastle team, especially with Tonali, Barnes and Jacob Murphy unavailable.
Smith Rowe, 23, has struggled for game time this season with injuries and selection - limiting him to just 116 minutes of Premier League action across six appearances.
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His one assist came in his only start as the Gunners thumped Sheffield United 5-0 in October.
Chelsea and West Ham have also been linked with the three-cap Three Lions international this season.
'NO ASSURANCES'
The Athletic report also names Athletic Bilbao ace Nico Williams, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart and Boulaye Dia of Salernitana as other targets.
Toon target Kalvin Phillips looks set to join Juventus on loan while Conor Gallagher's £40m price tag set by Chelsea is simply too much for a January deal.
Howe - who insists there will be no first-team exits from St James' Park next month - is feeling the heat after six defeats in seven.
And asked about money available for the upcoming window, he said: “No we haven’t had those assurances.
“It's a difficult month as we always say when January comes around, but it is a very difficult month to bring in quality players.
“Financial fair play continues to affect our decision-making so let's wait and see.
“FFP is part of our future and isn't going anywhere, we need to navigate it.”
