While Christmas is right around he corner, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will be counting down the days until the January transfer window opens.
The Toon boss needs a few gifts from the owners in the new year, with his squad currently decimated with injuries.
The Newcastle squad has been stretched to its absolute limit, with injury and suspension stopping the club from competing on multiple fronts. You have to wonder whether we could have advanced in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup had we not had so many players unavailable.
But while Toon fans will wonder what might have been, Eddie Howe will not dwell on the past. He will be focussed on the future, ensuring that Newcastle enjoy a strong second half of the season.
To do that, he will need some help from the owners. And, luckily, it sounds like he is going to get exactly that.
Newcastle owners even more keen to make new signings in the January transfer window
According to the Athletic, the Newcastle owners plan to back Howe in January and give him the resources needed to make some new signings.
They add that while loan deals will be the most likely avenue they go down, there is a chance that one or two permanent signings could arrive at St James’ Park next month. The Athletic state that, after the past few days, the owners are now even more on board with strengthening the squad in January.
With everyone pulling in the same direction, it could turn out to be a very exciting January transfer window. There are multiple positions that Newcastle need to address, and it will be interesting to see who the club target as they aim to back their manager but stay within the limits of financial fair play.
Three positions Newcastle could address in January
An attacker has to be near the top of Newcastle’s shopping list. Injuries have really hurt the Magpies in that department, so a new wide player would be more than welcome at St James’ Park.
The club will also probably be keen to bring in a midfielder, especially given Sandro Tonali’s situation. He is banned until August 2024 after being investigated by the Italian Football Federation for betting. The leading candidate to replace Tonali appears to be Kalvin Phillips, with the 28-year-old heavily linked with a move to Tyneside.
A goalkeeper could also be on the agenda, with Nick Pope facing a few months out after undergoing shoulder surgery. In his absence, Martin Dubravka is Newcastle’s starting stopper once again.
With multiple players needed and an ownership that is keen to help the manager, Newcastle fans should brace themselves for a busy start to 2024.
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