Newcastle discussing three left-backs and two centre-backs but FFP causing issues - Report

The Mail's Craig Hope has issued an update on the transfer front as Newcastle United pursue moves for a left-back and right-sided centre-back over the final two and a half weeks of the summer winow.

The North-East reporter confirms that we are 'exploring' the possibility of bringing Lewis Hall to St James' Park, with fellow Chelsea full-back Marc Cucurella also discussed alongside Arsenal's Kieran Tierney.

However, it's believed the club have reached our FFP 'limit' for the summer, forcing us to be 'creative' in the market and target potential loan-to-buy deals that allow us to sign now and pay later.

Hope adds that Crystal Palace's Joachim Andersen and Antonio Silva of Benfica are 'high on the list' of centre-back options, but deals for either currently look 'very unlikely' due to the fees involved.

So, it seems the club remain active as we attempt to sign a left-back and competition for Fabian Schar over the next fortnight, but FFP and the difficulty of signing top players on a loan-to-buy basis could prove problematic. See Hope's update below: