Newcastle United have enjoyed a phenomenal start to the season and are currently sitting in the Champions League places in the Premier League table after 13 matches.

The Magpies have only lost one of their games in the top flight so far, a record only Manchester City and Arsenal can match, and have the best defensive record in the league with ten conceded.

Their terrific form this season does not mean that there is no room for improvement, however, and Dan Ashworth may dip into the market to improve the squad in the January transfer window.

For example, the wide areas may be addressed as there has been a lack of production from some of the players currently occupying those positions in Eddie Howe's team.

Jacob Murphy has played in all 13 of the club's Premier League games, starting four times, and has only produced one goal, whilst failing to assist any strikes. He has averaged a SofaScore rating of 6.64 and created 0.5 chances per game, which shows that he is struggling to deliver quality in the final third on a consistent basis.

One player the club are reportedly interested in signing is Blackburn Rovers attacker Ben Brereton Diaz and Ashworth must now launch a swoop as it would allow him to ditch Murphy from the squad.

It has been reported that the Championship side want to keep hold of the Chile international in the January transfer window and are happy to lose him on a free transfer next summer if it means that they can enjoy his talents during the second half of this season.

As a result, Newcastle must either convince Rovers to change their mind in January or wait to sign him for nothing ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Whether he arrives this season or next, he could be a big upgrade on Murphy out on the left flank. The 23-year-old, who Jaquob Crooke once dubbed a "superstar", has scored eight goals and created four 'big chances' for his teammates in 18 Championship outings this term.

Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson said that he scores "beautiful goals" and his form at the top end of the pitch is not a flash in the pan after he enjoyed a fantastic 2021/22 campaign.

The forward plundered 22 goals and three assists, creating three 'big chances', in 37 league appearances for Blackburn last term, with these statistics showing that he has the potential to offer a huge goal threat from out wide.

He also has the scope to develop further and improve under Howe's coaching at the age of 23, four years younger than the underperforming Murphy.

Therefore, signing the Blackburn gem would allow Ashworth to bin the former Norwich attacker as he is not doing enough in front of goal to justify his place in the squad, when a player like Diaz could come in and provide more quality in the final third.