According to The Northern Echo, Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori is someone who Newcastle may target in the upcoming January transfer window.

What's the story?

Despite enjoying a relatively successful summer window that saw them bring in a few Premier League proven players, the Magpies have endured a difficult start to the new season, languishing in 15th place and with just ten goals in their opening nine games.

Now, The Northern Echo claim that manager Steve Bruce will only be permitted to make loan signings in January, and that Mike Ashley's ongoing legal action against the Premier League is set to mean a limit on any potential transfer funds.

It's added that with Chelsea indicating Tomori will be leaving Stamford Bridge on loan in the New Year, the Magpies could bring him in to provide some extra competition for their centre-backs.

Imagine him and Lascelles

Whilst Bruce's side have struggled massively going forward, they haven't been great going back towards their own goal either, conceding 15.

And whether the Newcastle boss opts to go with a back-five or just a traditional four-man defence, Tomori's arrival would give the Magpies a completely different option in terms of the profile of centre-backs they already have at the club.

Speaking exclusively to FootballFanCast, Manchester City icon, Shaun Goater, said: "Tomori as well looks one hell of a centre back. He looks like a typical modern day centre-back. You don’t get many inches out of him because he’s quick, he reads the game well, he’s decent on the ball and he doesn’t take risks.

"If he had a long pass in his game, if he could hit a diagonal like John Terry or Virgil van Dijk, then I think you’re talking about a £100m player. If he adds that to his armoury and becomes a bit more comfortable on the ball then all of a sudden you become a weapon at the back in possession. He’s ticking a lot of the main boxes."

The 6 ft 1 ace could come in and partner alongside Jamaal Lascelles and give Newcastle a really impressive blend of pace and power at the back. The latter can go in for those aerial battles and mark up tight, whilst Tomori's extra pace can allow him to sweep up anything in behind the Newcastle defence. If they can get a deal over the line, it could be a really smart piece of business.