Newcastle United need to make signings in the January transfer window, despite spending around a quarter of a billion only a few months ago.
The January transfer window has been a rather quiet period for Newcastle United fans in recent years.
Not since 2023 have owners PIF been able to bring in a midseason addition, largely because of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
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Next year, however, may be different. Newcastle are likely to have money to spend in January, which will be a major boost for Eddie Howe.
Obviously, that doesn’t mean the club will go out and break the bank.
That feels unlikely considering Newcastle spent around £250million in the summer of 2025, but no one is expecting a transfer spree of epic proportions.
If the club are indeed prepared to shop in the New Year sales, it’s obvious what they should do.
Newcastle United need to sign more full-backs in January
Howe’s side look like an entirely different outfit when both Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall play.
In fact, they are unbeaten when the England duo have started in the Premier League this season (2 wins and a draw).
As good as Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier are, they just cannot offer the same kind of attacking verve as Hall and Livramento.
That’s not really their fault. Burn is a 33-year-old centre-back sometimes asked to cover at left-back. Trippier remains a fine player but at 35, he cannot really match Livramento athletically.
Pretend you’re Eddie Howe. Which position are you begging PIF to strengthen in January?
Is there one particular area that you really feel PIF should spend on?
Both veterans still have major roles to play but Livramento and Hall change the way Newcastle play football.
The way in which they’ve transformed the team in games against Manchester City and Everton underlines that.
If either got injured, it would be fair to assume the team would suffer another sudden downturn in performance.
With that in mind, the signing of younger full-backs to cover for Hall and Livramento should be a priority. Perhaps that’s just the one player who can operate on both sides, but it’s an area of the squad that must be strengthened.
The difference with and without Hall and Livramento is simply too stark not to address.
What Eddie Howe actually wants PIF to do for Newcastle United in January
Luckily, the Newcastle United manager appears to be on board.
Earlier this month, The Athletic suggested that Howe wants PIF to sign a full-back and a central defender in January.
It’s difficult to think of many genuine names to target at this point, although they are sure to emerge in the build-up to the window.
Lewis Miley is a surprise option for Newcastle at right-back but taking him out of midfield would be a risk, given just how well he played against Everton on Saturday.
While it seems almost impossible to imagine the club actually improving upon Livramento and Hall, younger and more dynamic cover should be brought in.
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