Newcastle United transfer news: Magpies 'are not trying' to sign two-time Champions League winner as Joey Barton has held talks with club

And TalkSPORT pundit Danny Murphy has argued that the Magpies will begin to “panic” if Fulham can win two of their next three matches.

Scott Parker’s men cut the gap between themselves and the Magpies to seven points with a win over Everton at the weekend, and still have a game in hand on the Toon Army.

Matters are made even more precarious for Steve Bruce’s side by the fact that the Cottagers play fellow struggles Burnley, Sheffield United, and Crystal Palace in their next three games.

And Murphy feels that a positive run of form at this crucial juncture in the season could pile the pressure on Newcastle.

Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “In isolation, this particular game against Chelsea wouldn’t worry me so much.

"But the lack of quality that Newcastle have, in attacking areas especially when Wilson’s not there, is the biggest worry.

"Whereas, you look at Fulham, who are trying to chase them down – they seem to be playing with more confidence, and now have found a guy [Josh Maja], they hope, who can get the goals. If he can, great. It gives Fulham a fighting chance.

"They’ve got three big games coming up...”

But on-pitch matters haven’t stopped transfer talk swirling around the top-flight and beyond.

We’ve also rounded up all of the latest Newcastle and Premier League transfer news and talk in one place this morning – simply scroll down to take a look: