Report: Eddie Howe wants Newcastle to sign three players in January

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The January transfer window opens next month, leading to a lot of speculation over who Newcastle United will sign.

The previous two transfer windows have been pretty hectic for the Magpies, as the new owners looked to make a big impact. January was about survival, then the summer was about evolution.

Now January 2022 is around the corner, and Newcastle are in a much better position. There is no desperate need to splash the cash, with Eddie Howe’s side sitting third in the Premier League.

It has been a remarkable start to a campaign which could end in European football returning to St James’ Park.

That would be an absolute dream for supporters. However, the owners are not going to break the bank in January to make that dream become a reality.

Major signings are likely to be off the table, but that’s not to say the club won’t be active when the transfer window swings open.

And the Athletic have provided an update on the three positions Howe would like to sign players for next month.

The three positions Howe will want to Newcastle to sign players in

According to the Athletic, there are three positions of improvement at the top of Howe’s wishlist heading into January. He reportedly wants a midfielder, a young right-back and a versatile forward.

Those positions of improvement certainly align with the players Newcastle have been linked with.

There are rumours surrounding two teenage midfielders from South America, with Andrey Santos and Maximo Perrone linked with moves. They would be investments for the future given their age – they are 18 and 19 respectively.

In terms of a new right-back arriving, it has already been claimed that a deal for Harrison Ashby is going to be revived. The West Ham youngster almost joined during the summer, but a transfer collapsed.

There have since been rumours that Leeds United’s Cody Drameh is a target, but a fresh move for Ashby should end that speculation.

Then we come to the versatile forward, which is probably the most difficult. We have been linked with Marcus Thuram, and he is certainly versatile. The Frenchman can play anywhere across the front, and is very affordable given his contract situation with Borussia Monchengladbach.

The Magpies have also been linked with Brazilian forwards such as Angelo, as head of recruitment Steve Nickson looks to tap into the South American market.

There are a lot of spinning plates at Newcastle right now, as Howe eyes improvement in three key positions. Whether they fill them all in January remains to be seen, but don’t expect to see any major arrivals next month.

The evolution is set to continue, as Newcastle continue to think long term.