The Magpies made a good start to the winter window by completing deals to sign Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood, but since then it has not been easy.
Newcastle want to bring in at least two centre-backs in January but so far not one has arrived and their pursuit of Sevilla defender Diego Carlos is not going according to plan.
Their status of the richest club in the world has turned out to be a major hindrance in negotiations with clubs and players.
It has been claimed that prospective selling clubs have continued to raise their financial demands in negotiations with Newcastle.
Newcastle have also been struggling to sell the project to players given their current predicament in the Premier League.
The Magpies are reportedly wary of paying over the odds players in fear of setting up a precedent for the future.
The north east club have not shied away from offering massive wages but for the moment it is not doing the trick for them.
They are working on a loan deal for Jesse Lingard but Manchester United also appear to be reluctant to lose the midfielder.
