The January transfer window is officially open, so the Geordie Boot Boys writers have predicted what could happen at Newcastle United with Eddie Howe desperate for reinforcements.
The Magpies have been riddled with injuries during the first half of the season, while they have also had to deal with Sandro Tonali being banned for the rest of the 2023/24 campaign.
With injuries piling up and Newcastle struggling to compete on multiple fronts, it is clear that Eddie Howe‘s squad needs a lift in January.
Geordie Boot Boys predict Newcastle United’s January transfer window
The priority appears to be a midfielder, while there are also rumours suggesting that Newcastle could target a goalkeeper after Nick Pope underwent shoulder surgery. David De Gea has been heavily linked, with the 33-year-old currently a free agent.
Another attacking player could also be on the agenda, but it might all depend on how much Newcastle can spend. Financial fair play was an issue during the summer, while the Magpies’ early exit from the Champions League is certainly going to have a negative impact on Howe’s transfer budget. It has been reported that the club have £50million to spend.
In terms of outgoings, Howe can’t really afford to let many players go. Fringe players have come to the fore, with the likes of Jamaal Lascelles and Martin Dubravka now playing regularly amid the ongoing injury crisis.
It has the makings of a very interesting month for Newcastle United, especially if the owners do decide to invest. That is the plan, with money set to be made available for new signings. But with so many positions needing to be addressed and the Magpies always being charged a premium nowadays, it is going to be very difficult for Howe to get what he wants in January.
If Newcastle are to push for a Champions League finish once again, they need new signings. With that in mind, here is how the Geordie Boot Boys writers predict the January transfer window will play out…
James Rutherford
James Rutherford predicts a really challenging month for Newcastle, but believes Martin Dubravka’s place in the side is safe.
Newcastle could do with a fair few signings in January, such are their injury woes. However, it is going to be really difficult for Eddie Howe to get everything he wants.
The one deal that looks the most likely is Kalvin Phillips on loan, with the 28-year-old lined up to take Sandro Tonali’s place in midfield.
While a midfielder is more probable, a winger should be the priority. But someone who is at the level Newcastle are looking for will cost a lot of money. There aren’t many genuine targets being named in the media, so perhaps we could see a surprise in that department.
One thing I do not expect is a goalkeeper to arrive. There is a lot of talk about David De Gea and Aaron Ramsdale, but it feels more likely that Howe will stick with Martin Dubravka. With so little money to spend, getting a goalkeeper for just a couple of months would be a waste of resources.
In an ideal world, we make one big permanent signing like we did with Anthony Gordon in January 2023, then get a couple of other players in on loan – potentially with an option to buy in the summer.
Andrew Reynolds
Andrew Reynolds predicts a quiet month for Newcastle in terms of outgoings, but believes that a deal for Kalvin Phillips makes a lot of sense.
Not a lot can be said about the January outgoings at Newcastle because they simply cannot afford to lose any more first-team players, even if they are on the fringes of the squad.
So, it looks like there isn’t exactly going to be a huge budget to spend on new players and therefore they may be relying on loan deals or free agents.
Kalvin Phillips is a name that has been suggested quite a lot and, while Manchester City would prefer not to improve a Premier League rival, a short-term loan deal seems to be the best option for all parties.
Alternatively, Newcastle will also be keen to improve their attacking depth with Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak’s fitness records not exactly reliable.
This leaves space for a third striker like Serhou Guirassy who has proven to have a keen eye for goal this season would be within the Magpies’ budget as he looks to make a move to a big European team this winter.
Jonathan Gorrie
Jonathan Gorrie predicts that Newcastle are going to be severely hamstrung by financial fair play during the January transfer window.
The looming spectre of FFP issues are hard to ignore but it would not be a surprise to see Newcastle pull something of a rabbit out of the hat this January.
PIF have invested reasonably heavily during every window they’ve overseen thus far and Eddie Howe needs additions. In an ideal world, every position would be strengthened of course but that does not seem particularly realistic in a notoriously arduous window such as January.
With that in mind, midfield has to be the priority at this stage. Since the takeover, only Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali have been signed there and the Italian cannot play before August, leaving Howe light. Even before that, the lack of a natural defensive midfielder in the squad had been noted.
Quite how big they can go remains to be seen of course given the balancing act with FFP and perhaps the club will need to be creative in their approach. Loans with obligation to buy seems a likely avenue to explore.
It seems unlikely Newcastle will go on a mad trolley dash when the transfer window opens but activity is to be expected.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
