Newcastle could be on the hunt for a new striker when the January transfer window reopens.

Rafael Benitez must have been desperate to bolster his forward line during the summer but wasn’t given any funds by Mike Ashley to strengthen his ranks. The Spaniard was forced to settle for the loan signing of Salomon Rondon from West Brom with Dwight Gayle heading in the other direction. Rondon is yet to score for the Magpies while Gayle has been scoring for fun in the Championship.

It’s clear that Rondon isn’t good enough to lift his new club out of trouble and Newcastle should definitely re-enter the transfer market for attacking reinforcements. One man Benitez should be targeting is Liverpool outcast – Divock Origi. Valued at £9m by Transfermarkt, the Belgian looks set to leave the club after slipping down the pecking order.

Origi arrived at Liverpool on the back of an impressive 2014 World Cup campaign with Belgian. After a decent start to life at Anfield, the forward fell out of favour under Jurgen Klopp due to the form of Roberto Firmino and was loaned to Wolfsburg last season. He returned to the club following a poor season with the Bundesliga outfit and remains on the outskirts.

The 23-year-old will be desperate to succeed in the Premier League and a move to St. James Park could be just what he needs to rediscover his best form. Origi thrives when he is the central forward meaning he would suit Benitez’s system perfectly. A pacey and powerful forward with an eye for goal – his arrival could be the catalyst for a mid-season revival.

The Reds are surely unlikely to block his departure meaning Newcastle could secure a bargain in the New Year.

Newcastle fans, thoughts?