Newcastle United have started early in their efforts to build a squad capable of Premier League survival, but it might not all be plain sailing.
Kieran Trippier is poised to become the Magpies' first signing of the window, with Eddie Howe's club having the rest of January to add to their ranks.
Newcastle were taken over by a Saudi-backed consortium in October, but have remained in the bottom three with Howe unable to make new signings until the turn of the year.
They have won just one league game in that period, remaining in the bottom three as a result, and at least one new signing seems unconvinced over a move despite the Magpies' well-documented financial power and lofty ambitions.
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Newcastle's defence is the joint-worst in the league with 42 goals conceded, and Trippier is unlikely to be the only new face at the back.
However, Sven Botman - one of the central defensive targets linked with a move - appears to be hesitant over a move to the strugglers.
According to Get French Football News, Botman himself is not keen on a move, while Lille are believed to be holding out for more money due to their awareness of the Premier League club's spending power.
"Everything costs three times more [when Newcastle are involved], a source told the publication, amid uncertainty over a proposed £30m move.
21-year-old defender Botman joined Lille last season after coming through the Ajax academy, and was a regular as the French club beat Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title.
If he opts to stay in the north of France, he will have an opportunity to take on Premier League opponents as soon as next month as Lille take on Chelsea in the last 16 of the Champions League.
While Lille's financial situation means they may entertain offers, reports from the continent suggest an initial Newcastle offer just shy of £30m has been knocked back.
The remainder of the window is expected to see Newcastle strengthen in a number of positions, as Howe's side aim to first escape the bottom three and then attempt to climb the table.
Howe's men are second from bottom, just two points behind 17th-place Watford, though the two teams above them have one or more games in hand.
Tottenham Hotspur's Joe Rodon is believed to be another defensive target, with out-of-favour Everton left-back Lucas Digne also mentioned in connection with a switch.
Midfield reinforcements are also likely to be forthcoming, with former Newcastle favourite Gini Wijnaldum a potential signing, while Flamengo's Gabriel Barbosa and Arsenal frontman Eddie Nketiah are among the strikers being looked at by the strugglers.
