Sky Sports News understand Newcastle are ready to make a move for Charlton striker Darren Bent.
The prolific front man looks likely to leave Charlton in the January transfer window after his manager Alan Pardew admitted the club might not be able to afford to keep a player who is currently injured.
Upon his arrival at The Valley, Pardew stated his intention to keep Bent but following the striker's sustaining of an injury, the situation has changed somewhat.
Pardew is on the lookout for a replacement striker for Bent, who will miss the next five weeks, but it remains to be seen if the Charlton board are tempted into a sale.
The figure mooted to secure Bent's signature was initially believed to be around the £7million mark but this has since been rubbished by Pardew.
Tottenham and Chelsea have both been strongly mooted as clubs ready to make their interest known, but Sky Sports News understand Newcastle too are now preparing a bid of their own.
It is believed Charlton are very close to the signing of Arsenal striker Anthony Stokes, who has rejected the opportunity to sign for Scottish champions Celtic.