Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has already identified the January window as a potential "pitfall" ahead of the first transfer trading period of 2025.

In a comment that was seemingly buried in his post-game press conference, it wasn't clear what Howe was hinting at but after already shutting down talk that Alexander Isak or Bruno Guimaraes will be sold, supporters will hope there are no bumps in the road ahead.

Howe said: "We've got a potential couple of pitfalls in the way – the January transfer window, Carabao Cup semi-finals. It's just got to be very short focus on to the next match now."

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But fans will hope that they will see players come in the other direction, despite huge issues with PSR for the Magpies. Here's a look at some of the transfer rumours doing the rounds across the festive holiday weekend.

Abdukodir Khusanov

Chronicle Live understands that third party intermediaries have spoken to Newcastle about the prospect of signing the 20-year-old Uzbekistan international. The right-sided centre-back fits the profile of players that sporting director Paul Mitchell is looking for in January.

However, Lens want £20million for the defender and Newcastle may prefer to wait until later in the year to do a deal. Either way, Newcastle are monitoring Khusanov's progress and the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham have all checked his progress.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Newcastle were in active talks for the England international last June before the Magpies dramatically pulled the plug on a deal for the 27-year-old.

It was last summer, when the PSR health check deadline and the prospect of points deductions for United loomed, that Calvert-Lewin was an option for Eddie Howe. The head coach likes the striker and the Sheffield-born forward came with a recommendation from his old team-mate Anthony Gordon.

But as Everton tried to use the Yankuba Minteh situation to help grab a bargain with Calvert-Lewin used as bait, Newcastle became frustrated and walked out of the room for the striker. Minteh ended up at Brighton & Hove Albion and Calvert-Lewin stayed at Goodison Park.

The striker has made 16 starts for Everton in the Premier League and scored twice. The Toffees have interest in Kieran Trippier so whether a swap deal could be mooted remains to be seen.

With Callum Wilson injured until the spring, Howe has already underlined the difficulties of relying on Alexander Isak game in, game out and he needs another senior striker. William Osula is being gently eased on to the big stage and an experienced marksman would be ideal for Newcastle in January.

Everton only have the January window to cash in on Calvert-Lewin with his contract up at the end of the season. West Ham have also been credited with an interest along with the Magpies while Serie A side Fiorentina can start talks as early as January 1 over a pre-contract agreement.

Maghnes Akliouche

The right winger is no stranger to Paul Mitchell after his time at Monaco, but there is an almighty scramble for the 22-year-old's services. With the promising Ligue 1 star having a contract until 2028, a fee of £49million has been placed on his shoulders.

A January move seems unlikely, but even then, with Manchester City, Paris St-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan, Napoli, and AS Roma all circling, Newcastle would need Champions League football to be in with a shout next summer.