Newcastle United could put in ‘offers’ for both Bamba Dieng and Lucas Paqueta over the coming weeks, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Eddie Howe has so far been frustrated in his attempts to strengthen his options in attack, but the astute tactician now appears to be closing in on a couple of promising signings.

What is the latest news involving Newcastle?

The Newcastle hierarchy were unsuccessful in their pursuits of both Hugo Ekitike and James Maddison earlier in the summer, and Howe has admitted he is still looking for one or two more acquisitions.

“We are still looking for one stroke two players who can make a difference for us,” said the 44-year-old in a recent interview with Sky Sports.

“We’ll never stop until the window’s shut to try and add to the group. It’s no secret that we’ve been looking at a couple of attacking players that can make a difference for us.”

And transfer guru Fabrizio Romano revealed to GiveMeSport that Lyon attacking midfielder Paqueta has ‘always been a player’ on Newcastle’s shortlist in the current window.

Meanwhile, 90min have claimed that the Magpies are one of several sides interested in Marseille striker Dieng, who has fallen down the pecking order under new manager Igor Tudor.

What has Jones said about Dieng and Paqueta?

Dieng, who is valued at £12.5m by CIES, has racked up just nine senior club goals in 42 appearances for OM, although he did help Senegal claim the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Paqueta is likely to cost significantly more and is valued at £59m, though, Jones has informed GiveMeSport that Newcastle view the duo as ‘good value’.

He told GMS: “We need to keep our eyes on Newcastle, there is a lot of plotting going on at the moment. I’m expecting offers to go in for Dieng and Paqueta as both players are seen as good value.”

Would Dieng and Paqueta be good signings?

Paqueta struggled when he first arrived in European football back in January 2019, registering just one goal and three assists in 44 appearances for AC Milan.

But the Brazil international has revived his career in style since joining Lyon nearly two years ago, racking up 20 goals and 13 assists in 78 outings, taking his career goal tally up to 34.

On the other hand, Dieng enjoyed the most productive campaign of his short career to date last time out, finding the back of the net on eight occasions while setting up three further strikes in 36 games.

Howe could add some much-needed firepower to his forward line in the shape of Paqueta and Dieng, and the Newcastle supporters will surely be hoping they have a couple of new stars to get behind before September’s deadline.