Manchester United icon David de Gea given Newcastle United transfer green light by Alan Shearer

Newcastle United have been urged to sign former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea to help halt their current slump.

The Magpies were beaten 3-1 by Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day having lost at Luton Town last weekend. Eddie Howe's side have lost four of their last five league games and have also suffered Carabao Cup and Champions League exits this month.

Newcastle are now eighth and face in form Liverpool in their next Premier League game. Club legend Alan Shearer believes a move for former Spain international De Gea could prove an astute signing with Magpies first choice Nick Pope sidelined with injury.

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De Gea is available on a free transfer and can sign for a new team outside of the January window. He left United in the summer at the end of his contract having spent 12 years at Old Trafford, making more than 400 appearances. The 33-year-old has been linked with a number of options in the past few months, including a move to Saudi Arabia, but Shearer believes his former club should explore a switch to St James' Park.

Asked if De Gea is someone he would sign for Newcastle, Shearer, speaking on Five Live, said: "Yeah, I would. I think Newcastle need a goalkeeper and De Gea is out there. I know the salary would be huge but they wouldn’t have to pay a fee for him."

Earlier this month, Newcastle boss Howe seemed to pour cold water on the idea of bringing De Gea to the northeast. He said: "I've seen a lot of media headlines regarding goalkeepers and other players. We have not made any enquiries. If we were to recruit now we'd be recruiting in every area on the