Newcastle United Transfer Talk: 7 Players Alan Pardew Will Aim for in January

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After the disappointment of August's transfer deadline day, Alan Pardew will hope to be given the green light to strengthen his squad come January.

Pardew was left desperately needing another centre-forward when the window slammed shut. In addition, defensive reinforcements will be a must and a midfielder to replace Joey Barton will also be under consideration. 

Here are seven players who will be on Alan Pardew's shopping list come January, whether he will be granted the funds to bring them in is another matter.

Papiss Demba Cisse

Papiss Demba Cisse came close to a move to Newcastle United towards the end of the transfer window.

The player himself seemed keen on a move, but Newcastle and Freiburg were around £3 million apart in their valuations of the striker.

Cisse is a far more-established striker than other targets such as Modibo Maiga. If a fee could be agreed to bring him to St James' Park, then Cisse certainly has the ability and confidence to take on the No. 9 shirt.

His price tag, as well as the potentially strong competition for his signature, make this a difficult transfer to pull off. But with Newcastle fans furious at the clubs inability to secure a replacement for Andy Carroll in August, the club may have to go the extra mile to secure a deal for Cisse.

Modibo Maiga

Modibo Maiga was so keen on a move to Newcastle last month that he went on strike to try and force through a move. Sochaux refused to let him go, and while the move looked to be back on late in the transfer window, Sochaux eventually pulled out of the deal.

Newcastle wasted far too much time on the Maiga transfer in August. If they are to make a move for the player again, they need to get negotiations with Sochaux to an advanced stage before the January transfer window opens.

Maiga is likely to cost Newcastle £7 million, and while he is a promising prospect, he is a long way from being ready to take on the No. 9 shirt. 

Miralem Sulejmani

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Newcastle were linked with Miralem Sulejmani in June, but at the time he was deemed to expensive.

If neither Cisse nor Maiga can be brought to Newcastle, then Sulejmani looks like one of the most likely candidates from Newcastle's previous targets. Whether a fee could be agreed for the 22-year-old within the confines of Newcastle's budget remains to be seen.

With four months until the January transfer window opens, chief scout Graham Carr will undoubtedly be scouring Europe and beyond for other striking targets.

But with Strikers commanding ever more inflated transfer fees, a large chunk of the "Andy Carroll money" will need to be invested.

Erik Pieters

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Erik Pieters at one point looked a certainty to join Newcastle this summer, but the club was unable to agree a fee with PSV.

Newcastle eventually moved on to sign Davide Santon from Inter Milan to fill the left-back position vacated by Jose Enrique. This does not necessarily preclude a move for Pieters in January, though. 

Newcastle's first choice right-back, Danny Simpson, was rumored to be on the verge of a deadline day move to Aston Villa, and is thought to be available for transfer after failing to sign a new contract with the club.

If Simpson leaves, then Santon may well be moved to right-back with Pieters being brought in to play left-back and provide much needed cover at centre-back.

Nedum Onuoha

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As mentioned on the previous slide, the possible departure of Danny Simpson means Newcastle may well be in the market for a right-back, and ideally a player who can also provide cover at centre-back when required.

Nedum Onuoha certainly fits the bill. He can play anywhere across the back-four and previously formed a formidable centre-back pairing with Steven Taylor for England Under-21's.

Onouha's exit from Manchester City in January seems almost inevitable after recent events and would seem an ideal signing for Newcastle.

Tranquillo Barnetta

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Tranquillo Barnetta was the man targeted as a replacement for Joey Barton this summer and had been touted as a potential signing long before Barton was made available for transfer.

The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder was thought to be very close to a move to St James' Park, but the deal could not be completed due to a preseason injury.

Alan Pardew may decide to give youngsters such as Dan Gosling and Mehdi Abeid a chance to prove themselves, but if neither of them have established themselves as first-team contenders by January, then it would be no surprise to see a move for Barnetta resurrected.

Lewis McGugan

Newcastle allegedly bid £1.5 million for Lewis McGugan in July with the 22-year-old seen as one of the most promising midfield talents in the Championship.

Newcastle are in the business of buying young talent with a view to creating value. If they can manage to agree a fee of under £2 million for a player who bagged 13 goals last season from midfield, then it wouldn't be a surprise to see him join in January.