Two late moves on Newcastle's radar if deals for top targets prove too expensive?

Ahead of next Thursday's 11pm deadline, Newcastle United will be working around the clock to improve Eddie Howe's squad; even if that means selling someone in the process.

The likes of Miguel Almiron or Callum Wilson could yet leave and recent reports suggest Everton's Amadou Onana and Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest would be targeted if our finances received a late boost.

However, there's two short-term options likely to be on our radar should moves for Onana or Gibbs-White prove too expensive or unrealistic to late in the day; Bournemouth's Philip Billing and Tottenham's Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

Billing may seem an underwhelming alternative to Onana and would surely be a temporary fix at best. However, a move for the 6ft 4' Dane could not be ruled out.

Howe knows him well - he brought him to the South Coast in 2019 - he has Premier League experience (something Howe craves from January signings), stands 6ft 4' and could even be available after a surprise dip in game time in recent months, seeing him start just one of their last nine league games.

As for Højbjerg, it's believed the 28-year-old is seeking a new challenge and could move on before next week's deadline. He has bags of experience, he's a leader and has that steely side to his game that would fit in well at St James' Park.

I have my doubts about Spurs, though. Would they be willing to help out a club aiming to take their place amongst the 'big six'? They may be 11 points clear of us in the table, but history suggests (since Saudi owners arrived) that our rivals will only sanction loans that feature huge fees or obligations to buy.

Billing feels more likely, even if Bournemouth would also struggle to justify a straight loan, given his history with Howe, physical profile and recent lack of minutes. Ones to watch if our top targets prove unattainable over the next week.