If Newcastle want to sign Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey this month, they will have to beat Crystal Palace to it. The Magpies need reinforcements to prevent relegation to the Championship.
Newcastle have only won one game this season and are 19th in the Premier League.
On Saturday, they were knocked out of the FA Cup third round by League One strugglers Cambridge United at St James' Park.
Eddie Howe's side had plenty of chances to win but were once again poor in front of goal and paid the price as Joe Ironside scored for the minnows.
Howe will now focus on the Premier League and understands he must spend carefully this month to give his side the best chance of survival.
The Magpies have recently recruited England right-back Kieran Trippier and will need more experienced players to succeed in the northeast.
Newcastle are apparently interested in signing Ramsey, but La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Palace have made an offer.
The Wales international joined Juventus in the summer of 2019. And he's signed through 2023.
But injuries have limited his Juventus career and he has lost popularity in Turin.
Ramsey has been sidelined for long periods in each of his three seasons in Italy and has only played five times this season.
In October, he came on as a substitute in Juventus' Champions League triumph over Zenit St Petersburg.
But he hasn't played since late September.
Ramsey is reported to be earning roughly £112,500 per week, and Juventus want him off their books.
Brighton and Aston Villa have both been linked with the player in recent months.
A move to the Eagles, though, would allow Ramsey to reunite with iconic Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.
During Arsene Wenger's Invincibles team in 2003/04, he made 397 appearances for the Gunners.
Vieira retired in 2011 and took over at Selhurst Park last summer after Roy Hodgson left.
Working with the 45-year-old could be appealing to Ramsey considering his Arsenal ties.
-7msport
