The January transfer window is just around the corner and Newcastle United may look to make signings to push for European qualification.
Newcastle fans were expecting an improvement this season but few could have predicted for them to be this good.
The Magpies are not only contenders for Europa League qualification, but also the Champions League.
Eddie Howe is working wonders with players who struggled under Steve Bruce and Newcastle’s recruitment has been hugely impressive.
A few more additions could secure European action for Newcastle though and with that in mind, here is our five-point plan for the Magpies’ January transfer window…
Consider signing a true playmaker
Bruno Guimaraes is a star, Joelinton haș become a quality box-to-box midfielder and Sean Longstaff is recapturing his past form. Yet Newcastle don’t have a clear number 10 to provide guile and unlock deep defences, which is ultimately why they chased Leicester City ace James Maddison over the summer. It seems unlikely that the Foxes will sell Maddison in January but Newcastle should at least ask the question – or pivot to another playmaker who can make a difference.
Make a new winger a priority
Miguel Almiron is in the form of his life this season but Allan Saint-Maximin continues to pick up injury problems. Ryan Fraser doesn’t appear to have much of a future at Newcastle and could leave in January. Add all of that together and a new winger should be high on the Magpies’ list of priorities. Bayer Leverkusen ace Moussa Diaby has been heavily linked in 2022 and a new move for the Frenchman in January shouldn’t be ruled out.
Sign the long-term heir to Kieran Trippier
This looks to be a real priority for Newcastle heading into January, based on recent rumours. Leeds United’s Cody Drameh, West Ham United’s Harrison Ashby and Real Valladolid’s Ivan Fresneda have all been linked, and all are young right backs with potential. The idea appears to be for a promising right back to come in and learn from a quality player in Trippier before eventually taking over from him, so don’t expect such a move to materialise in January.
Clear out some fringe players
The aforementioned Fraser seems like a prime candidate to go, but the same goes for the likes of Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, Jamal Lewis and Javi Manquillo. Those players just don’t have important roles in Eddie Howe’s squad and they aren’t going to play much in 2023 if they stay at Newcastle. January gives all four an opportunity to move on and chase first-team football elsewhere, freeing up space for the Magpies to bring in new quality.
Be open to another striker signing
Newcastle probably thought they had their striking situation sorted when Alexander Isak arrived in August, adding him to Callum Wilson and Chris Wood. Yet with Isak and Wilson both suffering with injury problems, it may not be the worst idea for Newcastle to explore another striking addition. A loan option could work, or even going for a cheap yet versatile option in Marcus Thuram to bolster Howe’s options for the second half of the season.
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