According to reports by Spanish media outlet Marca, Newcastle United are one of three Premier League clubs interested in signing Villarreal striker Cedric Bakambu after his impressive start to the season.

The 26-year-old has begun the campaign in fine goalscoring form, which Marca says has caught the attentions of the Magpies, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United despite the fact that he could be a costly addition as his current deal doesn't run out until 2022.

The report says that the Irons made an unsuccessful offer of around €25m (currently £22.4m) for the Democratic Republic of Congo international during the summer, and they could reignite their interest in January with Javier Hernandez so far failing to make the impact that was perhaps expected of him.

In an interview with French TV station SFR Sport 1 last week, the centre-forward expressed his desire to play in the English top flight, and Toon boss Rafa Benitez must take advantage of that wish by outbidding his Premier League rivals and offering the attacker an offer he can't refuse to turn down in the New Year.

Here are three reasons Newcastle must win the race to sign Bakambu…

Goals

After scoring just 10 goals in their 11 Premier League matches so far this season, it is clear that Newcastle need to improve on that record as the campaign goes on if they want to keep themselves away from the bottom three.

As things stand Joselu and defender Jamaal Lascelles are their top goalscorers in the top flight with two goals apiece, and Bakambu has certainly shown this term that he could help them in that department.

The 26-year-old has scored nine goals in 14 appearances in all competitions for Villarreal, and he has an overall record of 42 goals in 98 games for the La Liga outfit to show he knows where the net is on a consistent basis.

They need a striker

In the early stages of the campaign it seems clear that Newcastle need to splash the cash on a new striker during the January transfer window.

While Joselu has done well he doesn't look as though he will find the net on a regular basis, while Dwight Gayle doesn't appear to suit the lone striker role at Premier League level and Aleksandar Mitrovic is out of favour under Rafa Benitez because of the risk that he will get himself into the trouble.

The Magpies certainly need a different option up top, and a confident Bakambu looks ready to make an impact in the English top flight.

Statement of intent

While Newcastle may have perhaps felt in the past few years that they couldn't sign someone like Bakambu, it is a different story now.

The striker has already admitted that he would love to play in the Premier League and not only could the Magpies guarantee him first-team football in front of a crowd of more than 50,000 passionate fans, they could offer him an attractive financial package if a proposed takeover is completed before January.

Signing the 26-year-old would certainly be a big statement of intent from the Tyneside outfit, and would ensure Benitez knows that the club can match his own ambitions.

Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.