The free agents Newcastle United could sign amid transfer frustration and financial restrictions

Newcastle United are heading into the final three weeks of the transfer window with the aim of adding at least two new faces to their squad.

It has already been a productive window for the Magpies with Lille defender Sven Botman, Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope and former loan star Matt Targett all joining Eddie Howe’s squad.

The United boss is still hoping to add some creativity to his attacking ranks before the window comes to an end next month and there have been several links with players in the Premier League and abroad.

The Magpies hierachy are currently considering a third offer for Leicester City attacking midfielder James Maddison and the likes of Watford winger Ismaila Sarr and Chelsea duo Armando Broja and Callum Hudson-Odoi are also believed to be on United’s list of possible additions.

There is a sticking point to United’s planning for the remainder of the window as the club contends with Financial Fair Play regulations and that has led them to consider loan moves for a number of players.

Another option would be a venture into the free agent market and a number of eye-catching names remain without a club with the new season now underway.

NewcastleWorld takes a look at some players that remain available.

Andrea Belotti

The Italy striker is probably European football’s most attractive free agent at this moment in time and there is some surprise that he is still without a club.

There has been significant interest in his services and recent reports suggest that Roma are in advanced talks to sign the 28-year-old.

With 113 goals in 251 appearances over a nine-year stay at Torino, Belotti would offer a genuine goalscoring threat for Newcastle - although they will have to move quickly if reports in Italy are to be believed.

Adnan Januzaj

Once of Manchester United and Sunderland, Januzaj is without a club after leaving Spanish side Real Sociedad at the end of last season.

Still only 27, the Belgian international brings Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga experience and would provide an option on the right-hand side of an attacking front three for Eddie Howe’s side.

Christian Tello

Once viewed as a bright prospect at Barcelona, Tello left Real Betis at the end of last season and is still without a club.

Has played in the top tiers in Portugal and Italy after featuring for Porto and Fiorentina, the 30-year-old can play on either wing and has vast experience of facing top clubs in Spain.

Diego Costa

Still only 33, Costa forged a fearsome reputation throughout a goal-laden career with the likes of Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Spain.

The former Blues frontman is still looking for a club after leaving Brazilian side Atletico Miniero and has been linked with a return to the Premier League.

Edinson Cavani

Another striker with Premier League experience, Cavani is looking for a new club following his release from Manchester United last month.

Linked with a number of clubs in South America, the Uruguayan has scored goals for the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli and netted a respectable 19 goals in 59 appearances during his time at Old Trafford.

Keita Baldé

Still only 27, Senegal international Balde is untested in the Premier League after spending the entirity of his career playing in France and Italy.

Able to play across the frontline and as a ‘number ten’, Balde has scored goals for the likes of Monaco, Inter, Sampdoria and Cagliari - leaving the latter at the end of last season after a one-year stay at the Unipol Domus.

Hatem Ben Arfa

The last dance, anyone? File this under the impossible but we couldn’t leave a former Gallowgate favourite out of this list.

Ben Arfa may well have left Tyneside with mixed memories when he departed in 2015 - but who can forget those remarkable solo goals against Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers.

Ryad Boudebouz

Somewhere deep in the not-so-distant past, when Newcastle regularly plundered France’s top tier, there were links with Algerian international Boudebouz.

A talented number ten and a set-piece expert, the 32-year-old left Saint-Etienne in July after spending time with the likes of Real Betis, Celta Vigo and Montpellier over the last decade.