Newcastle have decided their next signing as January priority emerges

Newcastle United could prioritise signing a new midfielder in January, according to Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope. The Magpies will soon enter their third transfer window under Saudi-backed ownership, and Eddie Howe will be keen to upgrade his squad and boost an unlikely top-four challenge.Newcastle have backed Howe with around £214million worth of reinforcement since the club’s takeover last October, welcoming nine new first-team additions. But Bruno Guimaraes, as transformative as he’s been to the side, has been the only midfield addition in that time.With injury issues and also questions over the club’s general quality of depth in the midfield department, many have pondered when Howe will opt to add more of Guimaraes’ ilk to his ranks. According to Hope, that time could come in the new year as Newcastle battle to keep their Champions League dream alive.In response to a question regarding where the Magpies need to strengthen in January, Hope said: “On current form, there isn’t an obvious position. Right-wing and central midfield were the two obvious ones, but Almiron is undroppable & they’re getting by with Bruno in the holding role. I’d say the latter might be the priority, though.”JUST IN: Wright perplexed by Arsenal ace Gabriel after Edu and Arteta agreement Eddie Howe could be eyeing a new midfielder. (Image: GETTY)Newcastle have started Howe and the PIF owners’ first full season at the helm in sensational fashion and are sitting pretty in fourth in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Arsenal. The Tyneside giants have lost just one of their opening 13 games, the lowest in the top-flight with Arsenal and Manchester City.Howe has heavily focused his recruitment on bolstering Newcastle’s defence over the last year, recruiting Nick Pope, Lorius Karius, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Dan Burn, and Matt Targett. And that strategy is paying off, considering his side also boasts the best defence in the Premier League, conceding just 10 goals.READ MORE: What Arsenal medics ‘believe’ about Bukayo Saka injury Bruno Guimaraes has been a success at Newcastle. (Image: GETTY)