Newcastle's offer for Hazard/Dembele is pure wishful thinking on the part of the seller; the shortlist is fully revealed

The Athletic uK Newcastle reporter Chris Waugh updated the News of the Newcastle Winter Window that many fans are concerned about, answering several related questions.

Is Diego Carlos the number one candidate for centre-back? Do they have other options?

While Carlos is more willing to join Tyneside than Botman and has expressed his desire to leave Sevilla, Newcastle's ambitions to restructure the back line have yet to become a reality.

Those close to the deal say Sevilla will eventually go along with the 28-year-old's wishes, but it looks like Newcastle will need to bid more than £30m first as a series of offers have already been rejected. While negotiations are still ongoing, it is unclear whether a positive solution can be reached.

Of course, Newcastle is not walking on one foot, they are also in contact with Monaco's centre-back Badiacil, but he is not only injured now, but also wants to join a club that can play in the Champions League, which is also a considerable obstacle. In addition, Newcastle are continuing to focus on Liverpool's Phillips, Tottenham's Rodden and West Ham's Issa Diop.

But they also have other overseas candidates, including Bremer and Koffi Djidji in Turin, as well as Yudokai in Augsburg, who will immediately turn to other targets if Diego Carlos proves to be an impossible deal.

Has Newcastle adjusted its winter window signing program after the acquisition?

The answer is yes, ta can reveal that in October last year, high-level sources revealed that Newcastle's winter window budget was around £40 million to £50 million. But they have already spent £37 million, and their list of signings also lists expensive targets, with Newcastle spending could even exceed £100 million if they buy most of the players they want.

The information for nearly a week is that the two-than-one deal is "close to completion" but no agreement has been fully reached. While newcastle is not expected to replace all of their main squads, they still expect a significant reinforcement in the winter window. However, as far as the current situation is concerned, some positions may not be completed until around the deadline.

Why are Newcastle associated with so many players? Is most of this just speculation?

Newcastle are associated with so many players because they are desperate to reinforce their squad – rumors come from their massive inquiries about players, from players recommended to them by agents and clubs, or from intermediaries who think it is best for their clients to be associated with this bursting rich team.

In the case of Dembele, for example, Barcelona are keen to highlight Newcastle's interest because doing so is good for them, but no one on the Newcastle side expects him to join at all. There are also reports that Real Madrid accepted Newcastle's offer for Hazard, but the Belgian refused – unfortunately, such speculation will only continue, as Real Madrid has just secured the status of "the richest club in the world".

While we must look at this gossip with a moderate degree of skepticism, at least some of the dozens of names associated do have a shred of authenticity. Newcastle are scouring the market to find out which players are available, with news that they have as many as 45 potential options in certain positions – and those lists will only continue to grow.

So is Lingard the real target?

Yes, Newcastle are interested in Jesse Lingard, the second time Newcastle has asked about the possibility of a midfielder transfer for The United attacking midfielder, having done so before the transfer window opens.

At this stage, it's unclear whether the 29-year-old Islingard is really willing to join Newcastle, either on loan or on permanent. There are reports that Jesse Lingard is eager to return to London, with news that his income will be much higher than Newcastle's highest-paid players.

Moreover, as newcastle tried to loan Henderson, there are doubts that United will still keep these fringe players, also because they are reluctant to give up their squad depth.

Of those names, do we know who Newcastle is really interested in?

Borussia Möncheng's Puglia, like Zapata and Chris Wood in Atlanta, are actually candidates recommended by scout Nixon in the first two years. Newcastle's favourite young striker is Lance's Hugo Equitic, though they value the 19-year-old striker at between £10m and £15m, not the reported £25m or more, so they refuse to meet Lance's lions.

In addition to Jesse Lingard in midfield, there are also ambitious loan applications such as Manchester United's Van de Beek, Paris Saint-Germain's Wijnaldum and Gaye, but none of them have been successful. However, it is still believed that some loan agreements may be reached in the second half of the winter window.

Newcastle also likes Cantwell, but they see Norwich as too expensive, with Leipzig's Hydara, Marseille's Kamala and Lyon's Guimarães on their list as potential targets.

Meanwhile on the left-back side, Sassuolo's Rogerio has also appeared in the conversation, but is not considered a high priority player. Atlanta's Gosens, a top target for a left-back, has also been included in the list, though the chances of an injured German joining in the middle of the season seem slim.

Finally Waugh mentioned the negative impact of moving out and losing to Leeds United, but these are still unknown.