The January transfer window is set to slam shut in a matter of days and Newcastle United are yet to make a first-team addition to their squad.

Dan Ashworth and Eddie Howe have enjoyed a quiet month up to now as the only signing that has been made is 18-year-old Garang Kuol from Central Coast, who has since left to join Premiership side Hearts on loan until the end of the season.

No players have come through the door at St. James' Park to bolster the team in the immediate future but the club have until Tuesday night to change that.

Earlier this month, The Telegraph reported that the Toon are exploring the possibility of signing Conor Gallagher from Premier League rivals Chelsea, alongside Hakim Ziyech and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and he could be an excellent addition to Howe's option in the middle of the park.

The England international could allow the Magpies head coach to ditch Sean Longstaff from the starting XI as he has the potential to be an upgrade on the Newcastle academy graduate.

Whilst the Tyneside-born gem has been a hard-working, composed, and reliable option for Howe to call upon in midfield, Gallagher could offer a bit more quality in and out of possession to improve the team and increase their chances of ending the season in a Champions League spot.

On the ball, the Chelsea man showcased his quality on loan at Crystal Palace last season as the maestro plundered eight goals and three assists in 35 Premier League appearances. Whereas, Longstaff has found the back of the net four times in 98 outings in the English top-flight, including once in 26 matches in all competitions this term.

Gallagher also displayed his tenacity and work rate during his time at Selhurst Park as the warrior made 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game, whilst winning 47% of his duels.

The 22-year-old could also suit Howe's pressing style of play as ex-Sheffield United midfielder Mark Duffy dubbed a "pressing machine", which is backed up by the gem's consistent defensive contributions for Palace. 

Longstaff, on the other hand, has made 1.8 tackles and interceptions and won 44% of his battles in the midfield, which suggests that the Chelsea man could offer more defensive protection, at a slightly higher rate of efficiency, based on his loan spell last term.

Gallagher's average Sofascore rating of 7.08 for Palace also dwarfs the £50k-per-week Newcastle man's current score of 6.74 and all of these factors indicate that Howe could improve his starting XI by signing the Blues academy graduate.

Therefore, the Toon manager could ditch Longstaff from the starting team, or at least provide him with stiff competition, by bringing the Chelsea gem in the coming days.