Newcastle are considering making a move for Darren Bent, according to reports in Metro, with the Aston Villa striker believed to be an apt replacement for Demba Ba as Liverpool and Arsenal both chase the Toon striker.

With the January window just days away from opening, it seems the striking position is on many big clubs' lists, as Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all look to improve their attacking options.

The Gunners have admitted that they may enter the winter window, despite it being uncharacteristic for Arsene Wenger to do so, while Liverpool have already looked to wrap up a move for Daniel Sturridge.

Meanwhile, Ba has said he is unhappy at Newcastle as the side's position on the table goes from bad to worse.

Should he leave in January, the north eastern club will need a quick replacement, and as Bent continues to be left on the bench by Paul Lambert - despite the side having lost their last two games in a combined score of 12-0 - the 28 year old looks set to leave the club as soon as possible, making him a more affordable option at £13 million for Newcastle than other strikers on the market.

Arsenal and Liverpool are both believed to be interested in purchasing Ba, the English paper claims, and Alan Pardew is considering buying Bent early in the window to make his intentions to keep depth in the side's strike force clear.

Ba has scored 11 times in 20 appearances this season, and Liverpool in particular are in desperate need of more firepower as Luis Suarez continues to be the only standout performer for the side.

The Reds have top four ambitions, but recent losses to Aston Villa and Stoke have taken the side to a much worse position than they were in at this time last year.

Darrent Bent
Demba Ba to Liverpool or Arsenal, while Darren Bent moves to Newcastle?

A failure to replace Andy Carroll as the striker left the club for a loan spell on deadline day has been widely blamed for Liverpool's struggles in front of goal, and though the side look likely to take on Sturridge and Tom Ince in January, Rodgers will still be in the market for a proven, established Premier League starter if he can get one for the right price.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have long been connected with a possible move for Ba, and though he recently said he would consider a move to the Emirates if the opportunity arose, the 27 year old claimed he was misquoted and escaped punishment from Pardew as a result.