Eddie Howe has an unexpected arrival back at Newcastle United as the January transfer window gets underway.
As much as new sporting director Paul Mitchell will be eager to help Howe by signing incoming players, Newcastle must sell before they can buy.
There are several players linked with moves away from the club in January – Miguel Almiron looks set to leave with interest from clubs across Europe, the MLS and Brazil.
Martin Dubravka has interest from the Saudi Pro League but Toon boss Howe is keen to keep him at the club while Nick Pope remains sidelined.
Elsewhere, Sean Longstaff is reportedly “most likely” to leave in January with the 25-year-old able to generate the club pure profit thanks to his academy links.
While talk of outgoings to fund new transfers persists, one forgotten Newcastle man has just made his return to the club following a spell out of the squad.
Jamal Lewis returns to Newcastle from Sao Paulo
Lewis is a player who failed to live up to his potential when he signed for £15million from Norwich City in 2020.
The Northern Irish international made 24 appearances in his first season at the club but struggled for game time after Howe’s appointment in 2021.
Lewis spent the 2023/24 campaign out on loan to Championship side Watford and found consistent first-team football for the first time in two years making 36 appearances for the Hornets.
During pre-season, Lewis featured in Newcastle’s pre-season games against Hull City, Yokohama F.Marinos and Brest but in the summer, Lewis joined Brazilian top-flight side Sao Paulo on loan with an obligation to buy.
On Wednesday, Lewis announced on Instagram that he had left the Brazilian side due to his injury.
Unfortunately for the 26-year-old, things didn’t go as planned for Lewis as he only made six appearances before sustaining the ankle injury which is set to keep him out for an extended period of time.
Lewis’ time at Newcastle will soon be over
It wasn’t meant to be for Lewis at Newcastle whose contract runs out at the end of the season. His injury means he’ll run his contract down on the sidelines.
The Magpies will feel a weight off their shoulders as his wage can be invested elsewhere in the summer.
Lewis revealed that after a discussion with Howe, he believed that “the writing was on the wall” during his time at Newcastle with a move away looking like his only option.
He was keen to make Sao Paulo his home but unfortunate circumstances mean he’ll have to pick up the pieces and find another move in the summer.
The 26-year-old was one of several players on loan this season, including Jamie Miley and Harrison Ashby.
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