The Newcastle United fans in the Transfer Tavern are pleading with the club to make some well-needed signings in the January transfer window.

The Toon Army propping up the bar were really enjoying themselves back in the English top-flight during the early stages of the current campaign, but they have become increasingly frustrated by their side’s performances in recent months. Newcastle now find themselves deep in the middle of a relegation scrap after 20 fixtures. The Magpies have managed to take just 4 points from their last 11 matches as their struggle to find the back of the net has severely restricted their progress this season.

Former Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle is currently the clubs joint top-goal-scorer with Joselu on three goals this season, whilst central defenders Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark shortly follow with two apiece.

The fact that Newcastle’s central defenders are on the verge of topping the goal-scoring charts should be ringing alarm bells amongst the club’s hierarchy and the supporters.

The statistics speak for themselves, and the numbers strongly suggest that Benitez will need to sign at least one striker in the January transfer window if Newcastle are to have any chance of avoiding the drop this season.

Seasons gone by have proven that goalscorers are often the difference between relegation and survival in the top-flight, so Rafa Benitez must rectify the goal-scoring problem that is currently restricting The Magpies progress this season.

With that being said, here are two strikers Newcastle must sign if they want to stay in the Premier League this season.

Islam Slimani

Leicester City’s fourth-choice striker has been hung out to dry so far this season, with Vardy, Okazaki and Iheanacho all above the Algerian in the pecking order.

With Slimani seemingly surplus to requirements, Newcastle will have the opportunity to make a financially shrewd loan move in January.

Slimani’s record in the Premier League should give the supporters plenty of encouragement, as 7 goals and 5 assists from 33 matches is a decent return considering only 14 of those appearances were starts.

If Benitez puts his faith in Slimani and makes him his first-choice striker then Newcastle should expect to see him score some crucial goals and keep Newcastle in the top-flight.

Cedric Bakambu

Whilst a loan move for Slimani represents a short-term solution, Bakambu is certainly a player Newcastle would be wise to sign permanently in January.

The Congo international has been in brilliant goal-scoring form for Villarreal this season with 14 goals to his name from just 21 appearances in all competitions.

Not only does Bakambu know how to find the back of the net, but he is also brilliant with his feet in possession of the ball.

Considering Newcastle’s league position, it would be difficult for Benitez to lure Bakambu to the North-East, but they should do everything they can to land a striker who would undoubtedly fire the club to safety