Newcastle are reported to have a bit of money to spend in a bid to strengthen the squad in January, with new additions clearly needed to avoid a relegation scrap.
There are reports claiming the club are currently in discussions with Strasbourg over a £10 million move for midfielder Ibrahima Sissoko.
But assuming Newcastle are looking for potential bargains elsewhere, we have listed five players out of contract next summer, who Newcastle could try to agree a cut-price deal for, or speak to with a view to a free transfer after the season.
Boubakary Soumare (Lille) – Defensive midfielder
At just 20-years-old, and plying his trade in France currently, Soumare fits perfectly into the mould of a Mike Ashley transfer.
Having made 18 Ligue 1 appearances last season, the French defensive midfielder has started 10 of Lille’s 11 games so far this season, missing out on just one due to a suspension following a red card.
Manchester United are reported to be interested in Soumare too, which would make a Toon move for the player more difficult, but not impossible.
Newcastle’s reported talks with Strasbourg over Sissoko, could suggest they would not be looking for another holding midfield addition, but if that potential deal hits a snag, a decent, swift offer for Soumare could be a shrewd move.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Manchester United) – Right-back
The Dutch defender is only 21, but has had a series of injuries, which have forced him out of much of the Manchester United first-team picture, meaning Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a big decision to make over the defender’s future.
If Newcastle make it known they would be interested in a deal for the player, who may want to resurrect his career away from Old Trafford, they could approach his agents over a summer move in January, or even try to get him for a smaller fee immediately.
The Magpies’ right-back situation has not eased with the summer signing of Emil Krafth, as the Swede has struggled to adapt to Premier League football.
With the top flight experience Fosu-Mensah already has – he has made 45 Premier League appearances, mostly on loan at Fulham and Crystal Palace – that is not something Bruce would need to worry about with the Dutchman.
Gaston Pereiro (PSV Eindhoven) – Attacking midfielder
The Uruguay international moved to the Eredivisie club in 2015, and having won two league title twice, and two Super Cup successes, he may decide it is time for a challenge in a higher profile league.
Still only 24, he has 115 Eredivisie appearances to his name, and has scored 42 goals, accompanied by 17 assists during that time.
With him out of contract in the summer, his agent may be touting his name around Premier League clubs, as well as those from Spain or Italy.
Newcastle should be making a move to sign a player like Pereiro, with Premier League wages – even those on offer at Newcastle – likely to usurp the salary he is on in Holland.
Signing the player to a pre-contract agreement in January, with a view to a free transfer next summer would be a superb bit of business, should Newcastle choose to do so.
Ryan Fraser (AFC Bournemouth) – Right winger
Newcastle have been linked with a move for the Scottish winger in the past, with him thought to be a summer target in the tail-end of last season.
Arsenal have also been heavily linked with the winger, but Bournemouth have resisted the temptation to sell the player, which sees his contract expire in June.
Whether the Cherries will consider cashing in on their asset in January, rather than lose him for free in the summer, remains to be seen, but either way, Newcastle should seriously consider arranging a deal for him.
Hull winger Jarrod Bowen is also reportedly a target, but with Hull able to trigger an automatic one-year extension to his current deal, as well as offering him a new contract, it could be that Fraser will cost less, due to his contract situation.
Jordan Ibe (AFC Bournemouth) – Right winger
The former Liverpool player could be available in January, and would be a cheaper option than either Fraser or Bowen.
Bruce was linked with a move for the winger in the summer, after taking the reigns at Newcastle, but nothing materialised.
He signed for Bournemouth in 2016 and has made 78 Premier League appearances for the club. But he has only played 47 minutes in the league this season, with him not even making the squad in any of the last three games.
If Newcastle do not have the money to splash out on other possible targets, Ibe could be seen as another option to fill the current right-wing void.
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