Remy, Gomis or Hooper: Who Will Replace Demba Ba at Newcastle?

Alan Pardew has called upon owner Mike Ashley to back him in the January transfer window in the search for a new striker, but as we already know, it can be easier said than done when searching for a new addition to the Newcastle United striker force.

After Andy Carroll's deadline day departure, and despite Demba Ba's summer move to St James' Park, it took 12 months for Newcastle to sign a striker Pardew could consider a genuine replacement in Papiss Demba Cisse.

With The Magpies on the precipice of the relegation zone, Pardew can ill afford any delay in finding a replacement for Ba, but has to battle against the crowded marketplace that is the January transfer window.

So what options are available to Pardew in the unforgiving mistress that is the New Year transfer window? IBTimes UK looks at the contenders.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Saint Etienne

The 23 year would provide an alternative option in attack, with his tendency to sit on the shoulder of the last defender and goal poaching style a far cry from the physicality of Shola Ameobi and Papiss Cisse. A decent foil for either of the aforementioned pair he might be, but it could cause Newcastle to change their style of play to incorporate him, a risky mid-season ploy.

Bafetimbi Gomis - Lyon

Labelled the new Didier Drogba in his homeland, and with his strength and pace on the ball and emphatic finishing ability, you can see why. After netting 14 Ligue 1 goals last season, Gomis has already racked up 11 in the current campaign in Lyon's rise to the top of the table. Would fill the void and then some of Ba, but other high-profile suitors make the deal unlikely.

Yoan Gouffran - Bordeaux

Another forward from across the channel to be attracting interest from Newcastle is Gouffran from Bordeaux, who possesses a multitude of attributes to make it in the Premier League. Quick in behind, good in the air without being physically dominating and a cool finish would make him an ideal partner for Cisse, while his limited profile would reduce his asking price.

Gary Hooper - Celtic

The SPL's top scorer last season has added a pedigree in the Champions League to his repertoire this term as his reputation on the continent continues to swell. Questions will always remain over his ability to step up to the Premier League, but at 24 he has time to adapt but his contribution outside the penalty area is the main concern. Southampton among those interested in a player out of contract in 2014.

Loic Remy - Marseille

The most likely of the five candidates to make the move to the north east. Out of favour at the Ligue 1 co-leaders Marseille, Remy has pace to burn and can offer Newcastle plenty of versatility. A hamstring injury which troubled him for most of the year and kept him out of Euro 2012 may still be a worry, while moves to Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur have previously failed. At 26, a potential snip at £10m.