Eddie Howe faces a vital January transfer window as he bids to guide Newcastle United to safety, so should eye Tyneside returns for Georginio Wijnaldum and these ex-Toon stars.
The Magpies will spend Christmas inside the bottom-three of the Premier League table on just 10-points after 18 games. Only Norwich City sit below Newcastle by virtue of a worse goal difference, but having played one fewer fixture.
United have additionally registered the worst defensive record across the top-flight so far this season. The St James’ Park natives have conceded 41 goals, five more than any other side and seven more than Norwich, who sit bottom having only scored eight times to date.
January, then, will be crucial for Howe and the Saudi-led hierarchy at Newcastle if they are to secure their survival. So, should look to bring a handful of former stars back to Tyneside.
Wijnaldum – PSG struggles can be to the Toon’s gain
Wijnaldum joined Newcastle from PSV Eindhoven in 2015 as Steve McClaren’s first signing for £14.5m. He would leave after one season, having failed to keep the Toon in the Premier League following Rafa Benitez’s arrival. But can now make a telling difference under Howe.
The Dutch midfielder has struggled to establish himself since joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. Mauricio Pochettino has only kept the 31-year-old to a rotational role in the Parc des Princes engine room, since leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract this June.
Wijnaldum was a mainstay of the Reds unit until leaving Anfield this summer. Jurgen Klopp handed the 85-cap international 34 starts over 38 Premier League appearances last season.
Newcastle have shown interest in Wijnaldum returning to Tyneside in the January transfer window, too. 90min reported the Magpies responded positively when approached by the £300k-a-week midfielder’s agent, as he seeks possible loan moves for the rest of the term.
Mitrovic – Free-scoring Fulham striker has the goals Howe needs
Newcastle have managed to score just 18 goals over their 18 Premier League games so far this season. One of Howe’s biggest January tasks, then, should be to sign extra firepower.
United have relied heavily on Callum Wilson to lead from the front with his six goals in 14 outings. Allan Saint-Maximin is also the only other one to have scored multiple with three.
Fulham’s free-scoring striker Aleksandar Mitrovic could have the goals that Howe will need Newcastle to sign in the January transfer window. The Serbian, who spent three-years at St James’, is the Championship’s top-scorer this term as the Cottagers fight for promotion.
The Craven Cottage natives would be unlikely sellers in the winter market, however. Along with battling for the second-tier title, Mitrovic signed a new, five-year contract in August.
Mbabu – Howe can give full-back his second chance at Newcastle
Newcastle’s poor defensive record has seen Howe put a focus on targeting defenders in the January transfer window. 90min also reported a new right-back is high on his shopping list, while the Daily Mail note Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier is one of his top winter targets.
But Howe can also solve his need at full-back by giving Kevin Mbabu a second chance to show Newcastle his worth. The Swiss joined United in 2013, but left Tyneside three-years later having only made five first-team appearances.
He has since rebuilt his career with BSC Young Boys before joining Wolfsburg in 2019 for £8m. The 26-year-old offers Die Wolfe a dynamic presence at full-back, who could be an ideal fit for Howe’s system as Mbabu thrives most when defending with a robust nature.
Wolfsburg managing director Jorg Schmadtke also lauds Mbabu, via Bundesliga.com, as he is ‘particularly strong and quick’. While Mbabu also remembers St James’ Park fondly.
“You know how St James’ Park can be, and it was an amazing atmosphere,” Mbabu told Chronicle Live in 2020. “It’s crazy, St James’ Park. When you tackle, it’s almost like you’ve scored a goal. It gives you a lot of strength and confidence when you feel that.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
