Yasir Al-Rumayyan is on Tyneside to kick-start Newcastle's transfer business - journalist

There's a week to go in the January transfer window and other than Javier Manquillo moving to Celta Vigo, Newcastle United have been extremely quiet.

That's quiet in terms of actual business, the rumours never stop, but it has recently been more about players leaving than players coming in.

It smacks of desperation from journalists who know that any stories of incoming players won't be entertained as everyone is very aware of Newcastle's position when it comes to FFP and their lack of spending power. Therefore, if you want to get Geordie eyes on your work, you'll have to talk about outbound transfers to get the clicks.

Could Yasir Al-Rumayyan be in town to flash the chequebook around?

Weirdly, though, it is actually starting to feel like these stories may not just be made up for attention and that Newcastle are getting a jump on a big squad reshuffle by trying to ship players out this month.

Jacques Feeney via Getty Images

The club can't do any incoming business this month without first letting players go ... or can they?

Luke Edwards has said on the latest BBC Transfer Gossip Daily that Newcastle Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan has been on these shores lately which could suggest that he's here to get the ball rolling.

“It is my understanding that Newcastle's Chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan has been in the UK the last couple of days speaking to the Newcastle board. Are they going to sanction you know, a big money move?

“The money would come from from Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund. Whatever Newcastle do now would come off their summer budget, but they do need a central midfielder. I think Newcastle are the club I expect to give us the most drama, and the most intrigue as we head towards deadline day.”

We are losing hope in seeing any new arrivals this month

There always has been the possibility of Newcastle dipping into the summer budget early if they needed to, although they'd clearly like to avoid that, but it has been a funny old season with injuries and the like, and now with players on the verge of leaving, they might feel they need to act early.

There are gaps all over the squad and player sales will only make the situation worse unless we move to bring new faces in immediately.

With time running out, however, it is beginning to feel like January has disappointment written all over it.