Newcastle United are now over a year into the PIF regime, although there has yet to be a true marquee, statement addition at St James' Park in that time, with the uber-rich ownership having perhaps taken the wise decision to adopt a more pragmatic approach to the transfer market.

That could, however, be about to change in the winter window, with reports in Spain suggesting last week that the Magpies are one of the clubs interested in a possible swoop for Real Madrid forward, Eden Hazard.

The report suggests that the Tynesiders would be willing to strike a loan agreement with an obligation to buy of around £17m, with a departure from the Bernabeu now seemingly inevitable for the 31-year-old, as he targets a return to the Premier League.

The suggestion is that the La Liga outfit 'no longer trusts' the Belgian superstar amid his ongoing woes at the club, with the 122-cap sensation having started just 42 games since his arrival from Chelsea on an £88.5m deal back in 2019, providing only 18 goal involvements in that time.

That lack of game time - which has largely stemmed from the player's injury and fitness woes - will no doubt be of concern to Newcastle supporters, with the fear that the club may be lumbered with a costly, expensive mistake were Hazard to join.

While those fears are justified, pundit Frank McAvennie has suggested that it would still be a "good bit of business" were the northeast side to bring the "serial winner" back to England on a loan deal, such is the playmaker's undeniable quality.

For all his current struggles, the fleet-footed magician was a truly fearsome prospect during his previous spell in the Premier League, having scored 110 goals and laid on 92 assists in 352 games during his glittering seven-year stint at Stamford Bridge.

A truly "unique" asset - as described by former Blues boss Maurizo Sarri - the £523k-per-week dynamo has the ability to bamboozle defenders with his speed and trickery when in full flow, having regularly delighted both fans and pundits alike during his time in west London.

The one-time Lille maestro has been limited to just six appearances this season thus far - providing two goal involvements in the Champions League triumph over Celtic at Parkhead - although the expectation is that he could go on to thrive at the upcoming World Cup, having been dubbed a true "natural talent" by Belgium boss Roberto Martinez.

A player who "takes responsibility" - in the words of Martinez - with his desire to take the ball in tight areas and in "high-pressure situations", the 5 foot 9 ace could well be the extra sprinkling of quality that Howe's men are in need of.

While the current Magpies side are currently thriving with their cohesive unit and collective strength, the introduction of a potential talisman such as Hazard could be the difference in the quest for a top-four berth, with the Madrid man having previously proven himself in English football in the past.

Undoubtedly a gamble as a result of the player's age and recent lack of action, it could well be a risk worth taking for PIF to sign the highly-regarded "genius", as dubbed by Sarri.