Newcastle United must offload players before bringing in new faces in the January window - with talk strengthening from Holland that the Magpies want Johan Bakayoko.

United are aware of reports from the Netherlands that they are closing in on the PSV Eindhoven star. But talk that anything was close was shut down on Tyneside last night amid stories of a £25m fee being agreed.

The truth is Bakayoko is a player Newcastle have looked at and the PSV man is the type of star Eddie Howe would love to sign. But they must make room financially first.

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At the top of the list of potential outgoing stars is Miguel Almiron with a move across the Atlantic likely in January. Charlotte FC are believed to have acquired what the MLS rule book calls the player's "discovery rights" meaning that they are the only club that can negotiate for Almiron from the States.

However, Chronicle Live understands that their MLS rivals Toronto FC are watching developments carefully and waiting in the wings if Charlotte decide against the deal.

His agent Daniel Campos said: "Although Miguel is not happy with the minutes he has in England, he wants to stay and fight for his place at Newcastle. The coach (Eddie Howe) always supported him. When he made a request, he asked him not to leave. It must be a tactical or temporary issue."

Howe has cited PSR as the major sticking point when it comes to recruitment. He told Chronicle Live this week: "I don’t think there’s a wish or a want from anyone to sell our best players.

"We’re desperate to take the team forward positively, not step back in any way. The best players we have, they’re like gold dust. We’ve got to cherish them."