Newcastle United were one of the busiest sides in the January transfer window, with Eddie Howe signing five new players for the Magpies under the new PIF ownership.
Four months since the window closed, and the deals made by Newcastle have mostly proven to be exceptional additions, with the Toon now safe from Premier League relegation and now even challenging for a top-ten finish for the first time since 2018.
With an exciting summer just around the corner and a season on the horizon that is set to be filled with promise and hope for Newcastle, HITC Sport take a look at the five signings Howe made in January and rank how the new additions have done in their first few months at St. James Park.
Kieran Trippier – £12m, Atletico Madrid
Kieran Trippier was the first signing PIF made as owners of Newcastle, and whilst the England international only lasted a few games before suffering an end-of-season injury, the experienced right-back made one impressive impact on Tyneside.
Handed the captain’s armband against Aston Villa and scoring some crucial goals against the likes of Everton and Steven Gerrard’s side, Trippier has already proven to be one huge addition for Newcastle, and next season will see the defender become a real threat for the northeast side.
Rating: 8/10
Chris Wood – £25m, Burnley
With Callum Wilson out injured, a striker was needed at Newcastle, and the decision was made to sign Burnley star Chris Wood for a reported £25m, a move that on paper would strengthen the Toon and weaken a relegation rival.
Although Newcastle’s attacking output has increased since January, Wood’s own performances have been poor, to say the least, with the striker already being tipped to be replaced in the summer transfer window after failing to find consistent form at putting the ball in the back of the net.
Rating: 5/10
Bruno Guimaraes – £33m, Olympique Lyonnais
Newcastle landing Bruno Guimaraes from Olympique Lyonnais was arguably one of the shock signings of the window, with the Brazilian strongly linked to the likes of Arsenal and Juventus in January before the Magpies swooped in for the midfielder.
And since arriving in the northeast, Guimaraes has been a revelation, with the 24-year-old providing goals from the midfield and delivering consistently good performances for Newcastle that have been key to the club’s rise up the Premier League standings.
Rating: 8/10
Dan Burn – £13m, Brighton and Hove Albion
As well as a striker and central midfielder, a centre-back was needed at Newcastle, and despite links to some big names, Dan Burn was signed on deadline day from Brighton and Hove Albion, and what an addition the towering defender has been.
Named Newcastle Player of the Month for March and keeping five clean sheets in the Premier League, Burn has been a revelation for the Toon since returning to his homeland of the northeast, and the defender will likely retain his place next season regardless of who Howe and PIF sign in the summer.
Rating: 9/10
Matt Targett – Loan, Aston Villa
The last player Newcastle signed in the January window, Matt Targett joined from Villa after Gerrard’s side brought in Lucas Digne to strengthen the left-back position. Yet as the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and that’s certainly been the case for the Magpies.
Targett has started all but one Premier League game since arriving at Newcastle in the winter, and reports are already suggesting that the former Southampton academy graduate will sign for Newcastle on a permanent deal after impressing the St. James Park side in his short time at the club.
Rating: 7/10
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