Newcastle United transfer interest ramping up with Eddie Howe already facing four January decisions

We are not even in December yet but pieces are beginning to be moved around the chess board in preparation for a January window that promises to be busy for Newcastle United.

The last two markets may have proved rather fruitless for Eddie Howe and his side but as the winter window approaches, there is money there to be spent for a club who look likely to be in and around the European spots come the halfway point of the campaign.

However, these days any spending naturally means sales must follow, unfortunately, as Newcastle attempt to balance the books after a PSR near-miss last summer. Looking around Howe's squad, it is clear he has a number of stars - here since before the transformational takeover of 2021 - who could be preparing to finally say goodbye.

Speculation, interest and agent tactics are already beginning to ramp up in preparation for January. Just this weekend Miguel Almiron's agent broke ranks to discuss his client's situation on Tyneside.

“Although Miguel is not happy with the minutes he has in England, he wants to stay and fight for it at Newcastle," Daniel Campos told reporters in south America.

Campos attempted to find Almiron a suitable exit in the summer as the MLS window neared its end. Charlotte FC failed with a bid, while old club Atlanta United were an option for Almiron before they declined to make an offer.

The agent also stressed Howe has pushed for Almiron to stay in recent windows, which is true, but neither the Paraguayan or Jacob Murphy can currently hold down a spot on the right of the Newcastle attack.

At the opposite end of the pitch Martin Dubravka continues to attract interest after staying at Newcastle beyond the summer window, perhaps surprisingly. The Slovakian remains Nick Pope's immediate backup but Saudi Arabian interest remains for the 35-year-old. Celtic and Arsenal are two clubs closer to home who have previously explored a deal for the veteran.

Dubravka's immediate future will determine whether Newcastle go out and sign another shot-stopper to rival Pope in the years to come. Howe has been keen to land a goalkeeper who is capable of performing with the ball at his feet but with five senior stoppers on the books, one will go before another arrives.

Two other stars tipped to depart in the summer - Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier - still have unresolved futures at St James' Park. The duo have both recently spent time in the Middle East as they step up their respective returns from injuries and a move to that part of the world before they hang up their boots wouldn't leave too many surprised.

Trippier had suitors in Saudi, Dubai, Turkey and England last time out, while Wilson's injury issues derailed possible moves to other Premier League sides.

Like Almiron, Howe has moved to keep all aforementioned stars at the club in recent windows to avoid having to shell out in order to replace their ability and experience. However, there is a well-documented understanding behind the scenes that Newcastle need to become better sellers, despite the manager often wanting to keep the bulk of his leadership group intact.

As such, there are already big decisions for Howe to make ahead of the January window - and we are still six weeks out from the market reopening.