Newcastle United are reportedly keen to move on former Swansea City player Ki Sung-Yueng this month.
The South Korean has featured just four times this season, most recently in the disappointing 1-1 draw with Rochdale in the FA Cup last weekend.
The 30-year-old came off the bench for Steve Bruce's side in a rare appearance for the Magpies.
Ki moved to Tyneside when his Swansea contract expired in June 2018 - the summer they were relegated from the Premier League.
He featured just 19 times under Rafa Benitez last term and failed to nail down a starting place at St James' Park.
This campaign has been even more troublesome for the retired international captain, with the midfielder registering just 173 minutes of game-time this season.
Our colleagues at ChronicleLive report that Ki's representatives are looking for clubs to take him in a bid to get him off the wage bill.
He is believed to be on £60,000 a week - which has thrown a spanner in the works for a potential return to Celtic.
The Hoops have so far baulked at that figure - even if a drop-down fee were to be offered for a player who has six months left on his contract.
Ki's dad said at the end of last year: "He’s trying to find a new home in January next year, and the contract with Newcastle is through May.
"The key is whether the club will consider freeing them as a free agent."
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