The Newcastle United supporters in the Transfer Tavern are concerned that their club's lack of transfer activity during the January window could ultimately relegate their club this season.

Following weeks of speculation regarding Newcastle's long-standing transfer record which dates back to their purchase of Michael Owen in 2005, Mike Ashley once again failed to meet the expectations of the supporters as he failed to secure a single permanent deal for a quality player last month. Newcastle did manage to secure a few loan deals as they brought Chelsea's Brazilian talent Kenedy to the club before they landed Leicester City's Islam Slimani on deadline day, as well as goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

Considering Newcastle's distinct lack of potency in-front of goal this season, it's no wonder that Benitez eventually signed Slimani on a short-term loan deal to bolster his attacking options.

Slimani became available due to his lack of first-team opportunities under Claude Puel this season amidst competition from fellow strikers Jamie Vardy, Shinji Okazaki and Kelechi Iheanacho, but it seemed Newcastle's interest arrived only after they failed in their pursuit for Feyenoord striker Nicolai Jorgensen (valued at £13.5 million by Transfermarkt)

According to Sky Sports, Newcastle had a £15 million bid rejected by the Dutch giants for Jorgensen's signature just days before the window slammed shut. The same report claims that Feyenoord were holding out for a bid in the region of £20 million, and the fact The Magpies failed to stump up the cash for his signature could seal their relegation to the Championship this season.

It's always difficult to predict how a player will adapt following a transfer from the Dutch Eredivisie to the Premier League, but the fact the Denmark international has 34 goals and 20 assists to show from 64 appearances at Feyenoord strongly suggests he could be prolific in the English top-flight.

In terms of Newcastle's short-term aim to beat the drop, the fact that Jorgensen is match-fit and has regularly played competitive football this season combined with his goal-scoring record in Holland made him a very attractive proposition on paper. However, the fact The Magpies instead opted to sign a player who is short of match-fitness and has been frozen out by a mid-table Premier League side could ultimately come back to haunt the Newcastle hierarchy at the end of the season.

Thoughts?