NUFC 'closing in' on double loan deal - & striker could also sign - The Telegraph

According to the Telegraph's north-east reporter Luke Edwards, Newcastle are hoping to finalise loan deals for Monaco left-back Antonio Barreca and Benfica midfielder Andreas Samaris over the next 48 hours.

Both proposed moves are said to be loans with an option to sign at the end of the season, however Edwards does state that we could face late competition from Porto for Greek international Samaris - a player whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season.

The report also ambitiously claims that there's a "strong possibility" that another striker will arrive before Thursday's 11pm deadline, with them also backing up the Chronicle's claims that Joselu could leave.

Personally, I can see Barreca signing on loan, but I fear Samaris will remain in Portugal and that Joselu will end up staying, with Rafa only likely to let him leave if he's sure another striker will arrive - and let's be honest, he can't exactly trust Charnley and co!

If (and it's a big if) we do manage to sign a few on loan late in the day then I can't see Rafa walking (I don't see how he could when he's just convinced players to sign?), but I'm pretty sure his mind has already been made up as far as his long term future in concerned given how the club have conducted themselves in what should've been a season saving transfer window.