Alan Shearer names player Newcastle should sign in January and two top priorities

Alan Shearer believes Newcastle United should sign David De Gea on a free agent, feeling a goalkeeper and centre forward should be Eddie Howe's top 'main priorities' heading into the January transfer window.

With Nick Pope out until April or May and the unconvincing Martin Dubravka conceding 11 times in his last five league appearances, Shearer thinks it's worth paying De Gea's 'huge' salary as we wouldn't have to pay a fee for the former Man Utd stopper.

He also believes another striker is needed to give us another option to Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak, but accepts it's tough to sign a top centre forward midway through the season.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live about our January plans, he said: "I would agree goalkeeper and centre forward would be the two main priorities for me. But good luck trying to find a good centre forward that you can bring in for a decent amount of money."

"Yeah, I would (sign De Gea). I think Newcastle need a goalkeeper, and De Gea is out there. I know the salary would be huge but they wouldn’t have to pay a fee for him."