Newcastle United eye THREE January deals as scouts monitor trio of strikers

And the Magpies are keeping tabs on a trio of striker targets ahead of the window opening tomorrow.

Record-breaking £40million forward Joelinton has scored just one goal this season, despite starting every game bar one in the Premier League, while Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle are yet to break their duck this campaign.

As a result, the club are reportedly open to improving their lot in that department and according to the Daily Star Ranger’s Alfredo Morelos is a player liked by Steve Bruce, while Hull City's Jarrod Bowen remains a player high on the manager’s wishlist.

And further to that, according to the Telegraph, United could also move for Genk forward Mbwana Samatta.

Bruce has gone on the record in the last month or so to play down the prospects of Newcastle signing players in January, but recently he stated the club had ‘irons in the fire’.

Speaking after the weekend loss to Everton, Bruce said: “There are a few plates spinning.

“We will see. I won't act unless it will improve the team. I have to let two or three go if we want to make changes."

Liverpool’s Adam Lallana is a player under consideration, with his contract set to run out in the summer, but he is not set to be short of offers, with the England international more likely to leave in the summer.

Danny Drinkwater, out of a favour at Burnley, as well as teammate Dwight McNeil have also reportedly been discussed by the United hierarchy.

Birmingham City wonder kid Jude Bellingham is another player being monitored while Queens Park youngster Reagan Thomson is set to put pen to paper to bolster the development squad.

The problem Bruce faces in January is that he needs to trim his own ranks before they can be added to.

The likes of Henri Saivet, Jack Colback, Jamie Sterry and others could be shown the door in order to free up room while Ki Sung-yeung and Yoshinori Muto are available and United will listen to offers for Dwight Gayle, who is still valued at £15million.