Newcastle United are yet to feel the full force of Paul Mitchell’s recruitment genius.
His first transfer window as Newcastle United sporting director was a disaster, with Paul Mitchell failing to enhance Eddie Howe’s squad.
In his defence, he was hamstrung by arriving midway through the summer when Newcastle already had their transfer plans in place. They wanted Marc Guehi, but Mitchell could not get a deal over the line.
Now January is on the horizon, and the Magpies are braced for more problems in the transfer window. Geordie Boot Boys have been told that Newcastle must sell before they buy, and even that might not guarantee the arrival of reinforcements.
Newcastle changing their transfer strategy
That is due to PSR, which is why Newcastle are changing their recruitment policy.
Paul Mitchell wants Newcastle to sign more young players from overseas, as opposed to bringing in established Premier League stars.
While that represents a risk, it is a risk worth taking when you consider the money that the Magpies could save.
And that theory could immediately be put to the test if Mitchell is able to sign an alternative to Marc Guehi in January.
Newcastle interested in signing Abdukodir Khusanov
With Newcastle unlikely to sign Guehi in January, the Magpies are looking elsewhere for a centre-back.
Their search is leading them to France, with Newcastle interested in Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
Geordie Boot Boys were told in October that Newcastle had scouted Khusanov, who would prove to be much cheaper than Guehi.
Now Newcastle are stepping up their interest, with iNews reporting that the 20-year-old could be available for £20million. It is also claimed that Khusanov is keen on joining Newcastle.
Khusanov deal can kickstart Newcastle’s new era
While Newcastle will need to fend off Tottenham to sign a centre-back described as a ‘monster‘, it would be real statement of intent if Mitchell can pull this deal off.
Khusanov is one of the highest rated young centre-backs in Europe today. He epitomises exactly what Mitchell wants to do in the transfer market.
He is a young player with an extremely high ceiling, while the fact he is not playing in the Premier League or for a major European club means that he will be a lot cheaper.
Talk of a £20million deal is tantalising – especially when £60million was not enough to secure Guehi’s services during the summer. Now Newcastle are looking elsewhere, and could land a player who is much younger for a fraction of the price.
However, it is more of a risk, as the Uzbekistan international is untested in English football. But Newcastle think Khusanov can succeed in the Premier League, and will hope to put that theory to the test in 2025.
It is the type of deal that Mitchell was brought in to do, and it will mean there is more money available to spend elsewhere.
While Mitchell has had a rocky start to life as Newcastle United’s sporting director, a deal to sign Khusanov could really bring his tenure to life.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
