"From what I understand" - Journalist reveals how many signings Newcastle still want to make

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has revealed Newcastle’s priorities in the final week of the January transfer window.

The club have somewhat struggled to add new faces to their squad in recent weeks, having acquired both Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood from Atletico Madrid and Burnley respectively in the first stages of the window.

Eddie Howe’s side have been attempting to strengthen but have been met with a number of obstacles in their bid to do so.

A recent report from The Athletic’s David Ornstein has revealed that a move for Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard looks all but dead after the Red Devils asked for a prohibitively expensive loan fee.

And they have not fared much better in their bids to sign a new central defender, either.

A deal for Lille’s Sven Botman appeared to be a priority heading into the window but that has fallen by the wayside after a bid was rejected, while a move for Diego Carlos of Sevilla appears to be heading the same way.

Sky Sports reports that he would cost over £37m, meaning that the current bid of £30m has fallen short of what the Magpies need to pay.

Newcastle have also been linked with a potential move for Bayer Leverkusen attacker Moussa Diaby, but O’Rourke thinks that the club are more likely to focus on bolstering their defence and their midfield in the final week of the transfer window.

Indeed, he claims that the main aims for the Magpies are to sign multiple centre-backs, a left-back, and two midfielders.

It is a lot to fit in during a hectic final week of the window.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, he said: “I don’t think it’s a priority position for Newcastle, needing an attacker like that [Moussa Diaby]. I think, from what I understand, centre-backs, left-back and two midfielders is what