Whoever said there is no value in the winter market? Those January transfer sceptics need only look at Newcastle United to realise that, if you look hard enough, there are deals to be done.
The Magpies have won five out of eight Premier League games since the window closed, zooming up the table and away from the dreaded relegation zone.
And, yes, this is a Newcastle side bankrolled by Saudi Arabian billionaires. But Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes and Matt Targett set the club back just over £50 million.
Newcastle succeeded in adding quality and quantity to their squad, without breaking the bank.
Not that the Magpies had it all their own way, of course. Bids for Hugo Ekitike, Sven Botman, Diego Carlos, Jesse Lingard and co fell by the wayside.
According to Sabah, the Tynesiders also wanted to bring Yusuf Yazici – then a team-mate of Botman at Ligue 1 champions Lille – to St James’ Park. That was, of course, until Newcastle were pipped to the post by CSKA Moscow.
And while Yazici was hardly the most high-profile transfer target on Newcastle’s winter wishlist, the remarkable impact he’s made over in Russia offers a tantalising glimpse insight into what the technically-gifted Turkey international would have brought to Howe’s squad.
Will Newcastle rue missing out on Yusuf Yazici?
As CSKA Moscow thumped Rubin Kazan 6-1 on Sunday, Yazici netted his first hat-trick since a thrilling Europa League victory over AC Milan in October 2020.
In fact, he’s scored in every one of his four games for CSKA so far, netting six times already. No foreign player has ever found the net more frequently in their first four games in the Russian Premier League.
Did we mention that Yazici is a midfielder, not a centre-forward?
“Yusuf is an incredible person,” says the Turkey international’s agent, indicating that the Lille loanee would jump at the chance to sign a permanent deal with a CSKA side who have a 100 per cent record since his arrival (Sport RU).
“There is no limit to what he can do when he feels good. Two days ago, in an interview, he said he’d be happy if he scored a hat-trick. And then he did. This success is just the beginning for Yazici.
“Certainly (he could sign permanently)! Why not? He really enjoys being part of the club.”
The feeling, one suspects, is mutual.
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