Newcastle United are reportedly in the running to sign Barcelona forward, Memphis Depay, according to reports in Italy.
What's the word?
As per TuttoJuve, the Magpies could be said to hand the 28-year-old a 'new opportunity' in the near future, with a return to the Premier League potentially on the cards for the former Manchester United man.
The Netherlands international - who has just a year left on his existing deal at the Camp Nou - had been heavily linked with an exit over the summer, with the Tynesiders having been earmarked as one of those potential suitors, as well as Serie A side Juventus.
The La Liga outfit had seemingly been keen to sell the 5 foot 9 gem - who only arrived on a free transfer last summer - amid their ongoing financial woes, albeit with the player opting to stay put late in the window.
Newcastle's own Nkunku
It would no doubt be some coup were Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth able to bring the fleet-footed forward back to England in the winter window, with Depay having proven throughout his career just what a talent he is.
While his previous stint at Old Trafford did not go to plan - as he netted just seven goals in 53 games in all competitions - the £22.5m-rated ace has since sparkled elsewhere, notably registering 76 goals and 56 assists in just 178 games during his time in France.
The dymanic "maverick" - as previously described by pundit Rio Ferdinand - has even impressed during his time in Catalonia despite the club's desire to move him on, with a respectable haul of 14 goals in just 41 games to his name to date.
The former PSV Eindhoven man, who is currently sidelined with injury, has also dazzled on the international stage with 42 goals in just 81 games in his career thus far, with the £174k-per-week menace a truly lethal presence in attack.
Such a high-profile addition could well prove an ideal alternative for the northeast side to that of Christopher Nkunku, with the Frenchman seemingly on his way to fellow top-flight club Chelsea after having been linked with Eddie Howe and co over the summer.
Interestingly, Depay shares a number of stylistic and statistical similarities to that of the exciting Frenchman, according to FBref, with the pair both showing great versatility to feature as a fluid forward option.
That likeness is illustrated by their ball-carrying brilliance, with the RB Leipzig man ranking in the top 10% for dribbles completed and the top 11% for progressive carries in comparison to his peers across Europe's top five leagues, while the Dutchman ranks in the top 3% and 7% for the same two metrics, respectively.
Equally, the pair are also quality assets in a creative sense when in possession, with Depay ranking in the top 9% for progressive passes, while Nkunku also ranks in the top 9% for progressive passes.
The latter man is currently hot property amid his links to Stamford Bridge, with nine goals in just 13 appearances so far this season, having previously provided 55 goal contributions in just 52 games last term.
Although the 24-year-old may now appear out of reach as far as the Magpies are concerned, it could well prove to be an astute move were Ashworth to swoop for Depay instead, particularly amid the prospect of a cut-price deal as a result of his contract situation.