Saudi owners ready to sanction January deals as journalist reveals priority moves on NUFC's radar

According to The Athletic's Chris Waugh, those behind the scenes at Newcastle United believe the club's Saudi-backed owners will back Eddie Howe once again in the January transfer window.

Speaking on the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne, Waugh reveals that Howe has already prioritised moves for a right-sided forward and midfielder; two areas we tried and failed to strengthen over the summer.

The North-East reporter believes that our top six ambitions could also encourage our owners to bring in a couple of quality players, saying we are "looking to be flexible" in the market as we continue to battle against FFP restrictions while fast-tracking our search for European football.

Here's what he had to say on the podcast on our January transfer plans:

“Everyone I’m speaking to at the moment, the suggestion going into January is that Newcastle, as they have done the last couple of windows, are looking to be flexible,”

“They are not going in thinking ‘we have to do x, y, and z’, but they would like to do certain things. And if they can, they will look to strengthen the squad here and there.

“We know Eddie Howe still wants a right-sided forward and he wants a midfielder. They’re the two priority positions at the moment.”

“If they think ‘we can add one or two players here’ and really can get into Europe and the right players are available, Newcastle, I am confident, will go and do it. It’s not going to be for a lack of ambition. They will also not act for the sake of acting.”

James Maddison has been heavily linked, while some are tipping us to reignite our interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby. Neither will come cheap, but our hopes of a big finish would receive a considerable boost if we could bring in either.

Hopefully our strong run of form can continue, as I'd back our owners to spend and make hay while the sun is shining should a top six finish look very much on the cards come January.