Newcastle United are reportedly prepared to take an opportunity to sign Barcelona forward Memphis Depay during the January transfer window.
Despite their initial target being European qualification for 2023-24, the Magpies currently sit as high as third place in the Premier League standings.
With a four-point lead in the race for Champions League football, Eddie Howe and his side are now focused on trying to earn a return to European football's top table.
Although Newcastle's owners are keen to remain within FFP criteria, that is unlikely to stop notable business being conducted at the turn of the year.
Newcastle have been linked with a wide array of potential attacking additions, including that of Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykhaylo Mudryk and Borussia Monchengladbach's Marcus Thuram.
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Nevertheless, according to Sport, Newcastle may look to pursue a deal for Depay when the market reopens at the start of 2023.
With the attacker's contract due to expire in just over six months, Barcelona officials are open to parting ways with the player in January.
The report suggests that Newcastle are the latest club to be provided with the chance to sign the 28-year-old, who has not represented the Catalan giants since September due to injury.
Depay has since proven his fitness at the World Cup with the Netherlands, featuring for 300 minutes across five appearances as Oranje reached the quarter-finals.
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There is a scenario which could see Depay remain at Camp Nou for the remainder of the campaign in a bid to attract more offers for his signature as a free agent after theoretically playing a part in Barcelona's bid to win La Liga and the Europa League.
However, the current leaders of Spain's top flight are allegedly willing to part ways with the former Manchester United and Lyon man for no more than €15m (£13.1m).
The prospect of signing a proven world-class player for a cut-price fee is said to be one that Newcastle would accept, leaving any decision in the hands of the player.
Previously, it has been indicated that Depay will only sign for a club where he will receive regular football and possesses an attractive project, rather than the playmaker feeling the need to move anywhere in the short term.
Depay, who has also been linked with a return to Man United, will allegedly make a decision on his future before the end of the year.
Darren Plant
