The real reason why Newcastle did not sign Khephren Thuram during the January transfer window

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Newcastle United targeted a new midfielder all month, but in the end the only they one they signed was a youth player for the future.

The Magpies’ only January signing was Alfie Harrison, who is an 18-year-old that will join the club’s youth setup for now. He clearly has a lot of potential, but his ability is not going to help Eddie Howe right now.

The Newcastle manager is noticeably light in midfield, and the situation got worse last month when Joelinton underwent surgery. He could now be out for the season, just like Sandro Tonali – although his situation is very different.

There were plenty of rumours. Kalvin Phillips was most heavily linked, but Newcastle decided that he simply was not worth the financial hit.

He was not the only player on Newcastle’s radar, and now the Athletic have shared the reason why three players from Europe did not arrive at St James’ Park this month.

Newcastle opted against signing Khephren Thuram and two more

According to the Athletic, Newcastle have spent a long time watching the likes of Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone and Amadou Haidara. However, they decided that signing any of them would be too much of a risk midway through the season.

While each player may have improved the Newcastle midfield, Toon officials are right to err on the side of caution.

Given the fact that none of them have played in England before, it might have taken them time to settle. It may have been towards the end of the season before they made a serious impact, while a deal in January will always cost more as it is an inflated window. And there is a chance they might not have settled at all, forcing them to go back into the market and further hindering their profit and sustainability situation.

Therefore, Newcastle might as well wait until the summer and reassess the situation then. You have to imagine the likes of Thuram, Kone and Haidara will be discussed further between now and the end of the season.

Thuram was a bit target for Newcastle in the summer

Thuram was heavily linked in the summer, but Newcastle opted to prioritise Tonali instead. Then they scouted him at St James’ Park when he played in the Sela Cup for Nice. They got a close look at the French midfielder, but obviously they were not fully convinced.

Out of the three players mentioned, the 22-year-old is probably the most attractive option. But his attractiveness did not outweigh the risk, and that is why Newcastle are sticking with what they have got.

The Magpies will come back to their midfield situation in the summer, but for now they will simply hope that Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson are not far away from returning to full fitness.