Despite being in the relegation zone of the Premier League table, Newcastle United have managed to score more goals this season than a number of teams above them.

However, it seems as though the Tyneside club have their eye on adding a new attacking figure to their squad to help the team escape the relegation zone and push further up the table.

What's the news?

It has recently been claimed by journalist Niccolo Ceccarini (via Tutto Mercato Web) that Newcastle are interested in signing River Plate attacker Julian Alvarez.

As a product of River Plate's youth academy, Alvarez, who is currently valued at £18m by Transfermarkt, has made a total of 93 appearances for the Argentine club across all competitions in which he has managed to score 33 goals and provide 24 assists along the way, which is presumably why Newcastle have struck an interest in him.

So far this season, the 21-year-old, who has been labelled as being a "hungry" player on the pitch by Sebastian Abreu, has racked up an impressive 17 goals and seven assists in just 19 league appearances.

These numbers alone should convince anyone that Newcastle should be doing all they can to bring Alvarez to S. James' Park, ideally in the upcoming January transfer window if they can to see if he can save their season and out of any relegation danger with his goals.

If PIF are able to strike a deal with River Plate to sign Alvarez in January, this could give Toon boss Eddie Howe the perfect attacking option to help his side pick up some much-needed points throughout the remainder of the season.

Additionally, with current Toon winger Allan Saint-Maximin being one of Newcastle's most dangerous attacking outlets with three goals and three assists under his belt in the Premier League this season, there's every chance that Alvarez could form a deadly attacking partnership with the Frenchman if the pair get the chance to play alongside each other given their clear knack for scoring and providing goals.

However, with January in mind and the fact that Newcastle's main problem could be the fact that they concede too many goals rather than struggle to score them, perhaps signing some defensive options rather than an attacker like Alvarez should be more of a priority.

That said, the addition of a proven goalscorer could really fire Newcastle up the table and in turn, secure their safety too. This is a player they simply have to secure the services of during the winter.

In other news: Imagine him & Wilson: Howe can transform NUFC with move for "fighting" 25-goal machine - opinion