Newcastle United have still only made one signing so far this window.
The Magpies are working overtime to try and get new faces through the door.
But it seems the recruitment officials are having some difficulty at the moment.
Many, many names have been mentioned in the papers, but only Kieran Trippier has arrived at the club so far.
The England international signed last week, for a fee reported to be about £12 million plus add-ons.
The 31-year-old has already made his debut for the club in the embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Cambridge United in the FA Cup.
In that game, Newcastle sent in 35 crosses, but were unable to score a goal.
Arguably, the result would have been entirely different had their been a striker with aerial prowess in the box.
Interestingly, Newcastle happen to be linked with someone at the moment who has that, and then some.
According to Sky Sports, Newcastle are interested in signing Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen.
But the Czech Republic international, 25, will not come cheap, with the Bundesliga outfit looking to secure about £50 million for the striker.
Newcastle aren’t wanting to pay over the odds for people. But at this point, the club may not really have much choice.
Kieran Trippier would surely love to play with a target man like Patrik Schick at Newcastle
One of Trippier’s best attributes is his ability to deliver a ball into the box.
The star takes brilliant free-kicks and corners, and also loves to whip balls in from deeper positions on the wing.
Schick, who stands 6ft 3in tall, has scored four headers so far this term (via bundesliga.com). The star is undoubtedly a big threat in the air, as he is on the ground with his strong left foot.
Trippier has been signed as much to provide an attacking threat as well as improve the defence.
Surely moving to land Schick would be a logical next signing by Newcastle. It would be very expensive, but potentially very fruitful indeed.
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