Newcastle United remain in the market for attacking reinforcements with a month to go until the transfer deadline. Eddie Howe has so far secured three new signings, but is yet to add firepower to a squad which is currently lacking in the final third.
The protracted pursuit of Sven Botman finally saw the Lille defender arrive at St James' Park last month, while a permanent deal was agreed for Matt Targett following an impressive loan spell. The Magpies also raided Burnley for a second successive window with a cut-price move agreed for Nick Pope.
However, the priority deals up front have not yet been agreed with Hugo Ekitike once again snubbing an approach from United. A host of names have unsurprisingly been linked, and here is a look at the leading contenders to sign for the Magpies according to Sky Bet.
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James Maddison - 6/4
The Leicester City star is the latest name linked with a St James' Park switch. Newcastle have had two offers knocked back by the Foxes, and Brendan Rodgers has stressed he is keen to keep the attacking midfielder at the club.
Maddison does not tick the box for a striker or a right winger, but did enjoy his best season to date last term. The 25-year-old has entered the last two years of his contract at the King Power Stadium, which could tempt the Foxes to cash in given their current financial woes.
Lucas Paqueta - 6/4
The Brazil international has been linked with a St James' Park switch ever since the January deal for Bruno Guimaraes' was announced. The pair are good friends, with the Magpies midfielder hosting Paqueta for a recent visit to Tyneside.
Lyon chief Bruno Cheyrou has not ruled out a sale of the attacking midfielder, who registered 10 goals and seven assists last season. Arsenal are considered the frontrunners to sign the 24-year-old.
Armando Broja - 2/1
The Albania international is a man in demand following a successful loan spell at Southampton last season. Broja netted nine times in all competitions for the Saints, and has reportedly been the subject of a recent enquiry from Real Madrid.
The 20-year-old has been training with Chelsea's first-team despite facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge. A loan exit or a permanent departure could be on the cards, with the Magpies, Everton and West Ham all linked.
Jack Harrison - 2/1
Newcastle's interest in the Leeds United winger emerged last month due to Bayer Leverkusen's stance on Moussa Diaby. However, the clubs are said to remain some way apart in their valuation of the winger.
Tottenham reportedly enquired about Harrison in January, and Leeds are said to have placed a £35m valuation on the 25-year-old. Jesse Marsch is also reluctant to lose another key player, with the Whites already sanctioning the sales of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha in the current window.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 3/1
Callum Wilson's rival for a place in the England squad has also been tipped to provide competition for a starting spot at United. Everton were said to have placed a £60 million price tag on Calvert-Lewin's head earlier in the window amid interest from Newcastle.
The Everton striker was ruled out for the majority of last season as Frank Lampard's side were dragged into a relegation battle. However, the 25-year-old has proven pedigree after netting 29 times in his previous two Premier League campaigns.
Callum Hudson-Odoi - 3/1
It was not so long ago that Bayern Munich were linked with a blockbuster approach for the Chelsea academy graduate. However, Hudson-Odoi has struggled to make an impact in recent seasons and could be available for a move in this window as a result.
The Magpies are currently listed as the favourites for the 21-year-old's signature, with recent reports suggesting formal talks have begun over a deal for the winger. Leicester and Everton are also considered to be in the running.
Maxwel Cornet - 7/2
Burnley's relegation to the Championship means the Ivory Coast international is likely to move this summer. Cornet impressed in his debut season in English football despite the Clarets' struggles, scoring nine goals in all competitions.
The versatile wideman is said to have a release clause of £17.5m, and did not feature for Vincent Kompany's side in their opening-day win at Huddersfield Town. West Ham are considered the favourites, with Everton and Nottingham Forest also linked.
Nicolas Pepe - 5/1
The Gunners made Pepe their record signing with a blockbuster deal worth more than £70m three years ago. However, things have not worked out in the capital for the former Lille star so far.
Pepe is one of several first-team stars linked with an exit from the Emirates Stadium in the coming weeks. The 27-year-old has two years left on his deal, and has reportedly been offered to the Magpies.
Ismaila Sarr - 7/1
Sarr and his Watford team-mate Emmanuel Dennis have both been linked with the Magpies following the Hornets' relegation. The Senegal international registered five goals and two assists last season.
Watford are keen to make a profit on Sarr who was signed in a club-record deal in 2019. However, the 24-year-old has two years left on his deal and has been linked with Everton and West Ham.
Ivan Toney - 8/1
Toney would return to Tyneside with a point to prove, having been let go by Rafa Benitez after a succession of loan spells. The striker's form at Peterborough United earned a move to Brentford, and the 26-year-old enjoyed an impressive debut campaign in the Premier League.
Toney has been linked with Leeds, Manchester United and West Ham, along with the Magpies. The Bees are said to be demanding £40m to consider selling their star striker.
Timo Werner - 8/1
The loan departure of Romelu Lukaku has not stopped rumours swirling over the German international's future. The arrival of Raheem Sterling has seemingly opened the door for Werner to depart, on either a temporary or permanent basis.
RB Leipzig have been linked with a move for their former forward, and his current salary at Stamford Bridge dwarfs the terms that would be on offer with the Magpies. However, a recent report from the Mirror suggests Newcastle are among the frontrunners to secure a loan deal for the 26-year-old.
Conor Gallagher - 9/1
Gallagher was said to have held talks over a potential loan move to Newcastle last summer. The Chelsea prospect ended up agreeing a switch to Crystal Palace, and his form with the Eagles earned the midfielder his first senior cap for England.
Gallagher has stated his intention to fight for a first-team place with the Blues, while Tuchel has praised the 22-year-old's work-rate in pre-season. However, the bookmakers still feel the Magpies have an outside shot of agreeing a deal for the midfielder.
* All Sky Bet odds are accurate at the time of publication.
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