Newcastle United are looking to offload players before reinvesting into the squad in the January transfer window. Eddie Howe's side are in the midst of a purple patch and honing in on the Premier League top-four.

The Magpies are just a point adrift of Chelsea in fourth place and nine points behind Liverpool at the top of the table, albeit Arne Slot's side have a game in hand. It's an impressive feat given the disappointing summer transfer window, with the Toon missing out on key target Marc Guehi.

It remains to be seen if Newcastle will go back in for the England international, with sporting director Paul Mitchell hinting at different approach earlier this year. Miguel Almiron, Sean Longstaff and Martin Dubravka continue to be linked with moves away from St. James' Park, which could in turn, unlock some spending power this month.

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The latter of the trio is expected to move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab, which could now develop following last night's Carabao Cup tie at Arsenal. The Slovakian international is in the final year of his contract and has been Howe's preferred choice in between the sticks in Nick Pope's absence.

James Trafford is a name that has been linked with a move to St. James' Park and Dubravka's impending departure would free up some space in the goalkeeper department - albeit the Magpies currently have five goalkeepers and you would expect that to be trimmed down come the summer.

Greek shot stopper Odysseas Vlachodimos is next in line to fill the void left by Dubravka, but he himself was also linked with an exit from St. James' Park in the summer just weeks after arriving in the North East. January is always a difficult month to do business and you would expect more movement in the summer with the Magpies focus this month on avoiding a repeat of last summer's PSR debacle.

Almiron is said to prefer a move back to the MLS having played for Atlanta United FC before signing for the Toon, with Charlotte FC among those interested in his services while clubs in Brazil are also admirers. The Paraguayan stayed at St. James' Park in the summer despite links to clubs in Saudi Arabia and obtaining a fee for his services could prove key.

Speaking earlier today Howe said: "The business logic is taking over from the football logic. There may be football decisions you'd like to make. Nothing was bigger than the previous summer when we had to lose two highly promising young players - we were forced to, we had no choice. That is very much the business taking over from the football. I think we are still in that position.

"I'm not on the frontline so I am not speaking to agents and getting interactions. Others around the club will have a better understanding than me.

"I don't think it is taking too many turns from how I thought it would be. That is not to say anything is cut and dry. It might just take one big move somewhere to start a chain reaction. We are ready for anything. We are able to be flexible."

Longstaff reportedly attracted interest from Southampton earlier in the window and he's another player with value who could be moved on. In terms of incomings, Newcastle wanted to bring in a centre-half and right winger during the summer.

Man City are said to be stepping up their interest in RC Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov in a deal worth £20million. If Newcastle are to sign the player - who is also said to be of interest to Real Madrid - then they'd be a signing a player with huge potential and a third of the price quoted for Guehi in the summer.

Selling Almiron would mean Newcastle have to invest on the right flank. Jacob Murphy has done well this season, but the Magpies need more quality out on that side of the pitch and continue to be linked with PSV winger Johan Bakayoko.

The Belgian winger has an asking price of around £50million which makes the move a difficult one this month, unless they can recoup some money in the transfer market. Spalshing that amount on a new signing would be a real statement of intent from the Magpies. There remain question marks over Callum Wilson's future at the club, but his recent injury setback all but rules out a departure this month, leaving him to run down his contract.

Here's how Newcastle's senior squad could look come the end of the January transfer window...

Goalkeepers: Pope, Vlachodimos, Ruddy, Gillespie.

Defenders: Trippier, Botman, Schar, Khusanov, Hall, Livramento, Lascelles, Kelly, Targett, Krafth, Burn.

Midfielders: Tonali, Guimaraes, Willock, Joelinton, Miley.

Forwards: Isak, Osula, Gordon, Murphy, Wilson, Barnes, Bakayoko.