Here is your 4am Newcastle United transfer digest.
Barbosa claim
The Magpies are reportedly mulling over a loan move for former Inter Milan striker Gabriel Barbosa.
That is according to the Mirror, who claim Newcastle has turned their attention to the Brazil international after being rebuffed in their attempts to broker a deal for Benfica forward Darwin Nunez.
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Barbosa is said to be unconvinced about a temporary switch to Tyneside in the new year due to concerns over the club's potential to sign other 'top players'.
However, Flamengo are reportedly open to a six-month loan deal with a £17m option to make the move permanent should Newcastle secure Premier League survival.
Umtiti 'prime target'
The Magpies have made out of favour Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti a 'prime target' in January.
That is according to Marca, who report the Catalan giants are keen to remove the World Cup winner's wages off the books.
Umtiti has fallen below Ronald Aruajo in the battle to partner Gerard Pique in defence.
Barcelona are 'very keen' to sanction the 28-year-old's exit, and the Magpies are reportedly prepared to offer the defender a 'lucrative new challenge'.
Denayer 'interest'
Newcastle's need for defensive reinforcements has been well documented this term, and Jason Denayer is the latest centre-back to be linked with a mid-season move.
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The former Manchester City defender will be free to talk to European clubs from January 1 with his deal at Lyon set to expire in the summer.
Het Nieuwsblad via Sport Witness claim the Magpies are one of 'several' teams to be 'sniffing' around a move for the Belgian international.
