This article is part of Football FanCast's Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba's haircuts to League Two relegation battles...

Until last year there had been a real reluctance from Mike Ashley to hand Newcastle funds to spend in the transfer market.

The £20m signing of Miguel Almiron and the £40m addition of Joelinton helped change that, however. They were both transfers that eradicated their previous transfer records but they’ve scored just one goal between them since arriving in English football.

It’s indicative of a Newcastle side that have been rather laboured in 2019, faltering countless times under Steve Bruce.

The most recent of those occasions was against a team in and around them. A 2-0 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa is unlikely to have done Bruce many favours, particularly upon return to his old hunting ground.

It is clear more goals are needed in January. Joelinton, Dwight Gayle and Andy Carroll just have one strike between them in 2019/20 so the potential addition of Jarrod Bowen could help ease those worries significantly.

The Hull man has been the subject of £20m interest from Newcastle in recent times and had scored 11 Championship goals from the flanks this term before netting twice against Preston on Tuesday.

A player blessed with pace and mazy dribbling ability, he’d undoubtedly add a greater attacking threat to Newcastle. However, it appears that the Magpies are now backing away from a potential deal in January.

Instead, they’ll initially target the loan market if The Chronicle is to be believed.

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The northeast side may have spent large sums in the summer but the lack of ambition here should be alarming. Ashley was more willing just a matter of months ago, but the failure to back the club's head coach and inject more funds in January would sum up his tenure.

Rafa Benitez wasn’t sufficiently backed and they eventually lost him to China. Bruce’s stock isn’t as high as the former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager's, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be given funds to strengthen.

After all, this Newcastle side isn’t exactly sitting pretty in 14th and their lack of threat in forward areas is a big concern. Almiron has struggled again, failing to score, and someone to provide competition for him on the right would be valuable.

At £20m, Bowen would be a snip, especially after seeing similar players take the step up from the Championship. Former Norwich man James Maddison racked up 100 key passes last term while Dan James has bagged three times since his move from Swansea.

If Ashley thinks loan moves are the way forward there is something very wrong at Newcastle.

Meanwhile, check out what Newcastle fans have been saying about Joelinton...