Despite all of the negativity surrounding Mike Ashley's tight-fisted approach to running Newcastle United, it's fair to say that the club have enjoyed a productive transfer window so far. 

Yoshinori Muto, Fabian Schar, Martin Dubravka and Ki Sung-yeung have all arrived at the club on permanent deals, whilst Kenedy and Salomon Rondon have both joined on season-long loan deals.

The aforementioned deals have given the club a huge boost ahead of the new season and should provide Rafa Benitez with enough quality to steer clear of relegation once again, but a recent report from French media outlet L'Equipe suggests that the Spaniard is not finished in the market just yet.

According to the report, Newcastle are interested in signing 25-year-old centre-back Christopher Jullien from Toulouse to add depth in defensive positions.

Considering Florian Lejeune has been ruled out of a 'large chunk' of the new season with a knee injury, Newcastle's interest in Jullien is certainly well placed.

Strength in depth is one of the most important factors in dictating a club's chances of surviving in the top-flight, and with that point to consider there's no doubt that Benitez should also seek to sign a new number ten before the deadline passes.

With Ayoze Perez the only natural number ten residing within Newcastle's ranks it's vital that Benitez adds another talented midfielder before Thursday's deadline.

And one player who should be at the top of his shortlist is Man City's Patrick Roberts - a player who is being heavily linked with a return to Celtic.

However, there is a feeling at Manchester City that the 21-year-old is failing to challenge himself in the SPFL, so a move to the Magpies would make far more sense for the player if he has genuine ambitions of establishing himself in the Premier League in the future.

Roberts spent the majority of his time on the right-wing during his previous spells with the Scottish champions, but his tendency to drift inside onto his favoured left-foot suggests he should have no problem adapting to a central role.

The creative talent should be available on a financially viable loan deal due to the fact he is surplus to requirements at Man City, and if that proves to be the case then Benitez should add a talent with huge potential to thrive at Newcastle before it's too late.

Newcastle fans - thoughts? Let us know below!