Aston Villa have made an approach to sign Watford's Nathaniel Chalobah and Newcastle's Isaac Hayden on loan, Sky Sports News understands.
Villa are in the market to bring in two midfielders on loan before the transfer window closes on Thursday at 11pm.
The Sky Bet Championship side are also considering other midfield options, and want Burnley's Ben Gibson to bolster their defence too - though Sean Dyche has made it clear Gibson is going nowhere.
Villa manager Dean Smith is desperate for reinforcements to reignite his side's promotion push, and the cancellation of Yannick Bolasie's loan from Everton - which is thought to have cost Villa £70,000 a week - has freed up funds for the club to invest elsewhere.
Newcastle midfielder Hayden handed in a transfer request in the summer, because he wants to be closer to his daughter in South Wales, so it is thought a move to Villa would suit him.
Sky Sports News understands Rafa Benitez will only allow him to leave if he can first get in a replacement, with Benfica's Andreas Samaris a potential target.
Chalobah has made just two Premier League starts for Watford this season, and wants more game time to try to force his way back into Gareth Southgate's England plans.