The January transfer window ended with Newcastle signing two players.
Antonio Barreca is on loan until the end of the season, while Miguel Almiron is the club’s new record signing. The latter certainly strengthens Rafa Benitez’s squad, but is it enough?
Newcastle’s main aim once again is to survive. They are currently 14th, five points clear of the drop zone. However, the Magpies weren’t the only team in need of new recruits over January, so let’s look at how their relegation rivals did.
Crystal Palace
Initially it looked like a disastrous window for Crystal Palace.
But with the deadline approaching, they completed one of the deals of the window. Michy Batshuayi arrived on loan from Chelsea, tasked with aiding the Eagles’ goalscoring woes.
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Offensively, Palace haven’t been good enough. But the arrival of Batshuayi will give their survival hopes a serious boost.
Southampton
Surprisingly, Southampton didn’t sign a single player this month.
You’d think with a new manager on board, Ralph Hasenhuttl would want to bring in some of his own players, but no. Instead, they’ve moved a few bodies out of the club. So are they now weaker than they were?
Burnley
What an odd deadline day for Burnley.
They sold Sam Vokes to Stoke City, and got Peter Crouch in return. The lanky striker is now 38-years-old, so you can hardly expect him to guide the Clarets to safety.
They should have done more in the summer, and yet again Sean Dyche has been unable to get reinforcements.
Cardiff City
Cardiff’s January transfer window is one of incredible sadness.
They had completed a deal for Nantes striker Emiliano Sala, but the plane he was on went missing over the Channel Islands. There was a wonderful tribute to the Argentinian when Cardiff faced Arsenal during the week.
Oumar Niasse arrived on loan and should boost their forward line, but the signing of Leandro Bacuna is much less inspiring.
Fulham
Claudio Ranieri needed to address his defensive issues in January, but managed to bring in just one defender.
Havard Nordtveit has arrived on loan from Hoffenheim, having previously had a spell with West Ham. He joins Ryan Babel and Lazar Markovic at Craven Cottage, who will add craft to an already top-heavy Fulham side.
Huddersfield Town
The Terriers already look too far adrift, and it’s hard to see their January signings changing that.
Jason Puncheon will add extra creativity to a team that is severely lacking in that area. Their other arrival, Karlan Grant from Charlton, is just 21-years-old and has never played in the Premier League, so you can’t expect too much from him.
Should these transfers worry Newcastle?
In short, no. Not enough teams have strengthened.
The only deal that you’d be jealous of is Batshuayi, but other than that, Newcastle have had the best window. Especially if Almiron adapts quickly to Premier League life.