(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Newcastle United transfer news: Magpies tipped to sign £72m ex-Ligue 1 sensation, Chelsea eye ex-Barcelona man

Newcastle United are back in action this weekend, when they travel to take on Southampton at St Mary's on Sunday.

The Magpies will head into the game in decent spirits, after holding Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at St James' Park in their last outing.

When Newcastle last faced the Saints, back in late August, Steve Bruce's side thought they'd snatch a win in stoppage time, after going 2-1 up courtesy of Allan Saint-Maximin, but were pegged back in the 96th minute as England international James Ward-Prowse slotted home the equaliser.

As things stand, the Magpies are 19th in the table and two points from safety, while their next opponents are sitting a little more comfortably up in 13th place.

Speaking ahead of the transfer window opening, Howe gave an insight into the Magpies' plans for the month, and said: "Of course, ideally, you'd want to utilise every day that you have (to do business)

“Certainly, from our perspective, we know we're in a hurry, we're not sat back thinking we've got all the time in the world. That's not where we are in our current position. Every day matters.

“In saying that, you don't control a lot of those factors, the players and the clubs, and sometimes the agents, control the speed of things. We're well aware of what we need to do, but, as I say, doing it is another thing. It's very complex.”

Take a look at today's biggest stories from the Premier League, as the build-up to this weekend's festive football action continues: