A key Newcastle United transfer update has emerged, regarding what position they are looking to strengthen in...

What's the talk?

Athletic journalist Chris Waugh has revealed that the Magpies are in the market to add at least one new striker to their squad this month, although they are not close to completing any deal as it stands.

In the Q&A section of his piece on The Athletic, Waugh replied to a fan asking about Steve Nickson and the pursuit of a forward:

"In terms of Nickson, you're right that he was working within restrictions under Ashley and, hopefully, that may have changed. The players identified do seem impressive so far, so let's hope they can manage to sign some of them. As for his long-term future, there has been no rush to remove him, but I think substantive decisions will be deferred until a CEO and director of football are in place, then they can determine the long-term direction of the club.

"In terms of strikers, they are very much actively looking to recruit at least one but, as you say, it's a very difficult window and hard to secure one even during the summer, so it's proving tricky, but they will keep attempting to lure one. I don't believe anything is close, though, and I think they see beyond Gayle now."

Delight

Newcastle fans will surely be delighted with this update as the club are in desperate need of more goalscorers in the squad heading into the second half of the campaign.

This was shown in full view on Saturday as the Magpies lost 1-0 to Cambridge in the FA Cup. They managed 19 shots, nine on target, against the League One outfit and were unable to find a way past Dimitar Mitov as they wasted chance after chance at St. James' Park.

In the Premier League this season, only Allan Saint-Maximin (four) and Callum Wilson (six) have scored more than one goal. This also highlights how little Eddie Howe has in the striking department and why fans will be buzzing with Waugh's latest claim.

Goals win games and Newcastle have only won one league match all season, which is why they could benefit greatly from bringing some extra firepower to the side. They could improve their chances of winning games and dragging themselves out of the dropzone by signing a player who could come in and score six or seven goals in the next five months.

Therefore, fans will be delighted that the club are working hard on a deal to sign a striker and are aware that the position needs attention alongside other areas. It is now down to the likes of Nickson, Howe and Nick Hammond to identify the right targets and get them in before the window slams shut at the end of the month.

AND in other news, “Intensifying efforts”: Ornstein drops NUFC transfer update that'll have fans buzzing...