All you need to know about the January transfer window: Isak and Gordon latest as Newcastle linked with exciting forwards

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The new year is nearly upon us and that means the transfer window will soon be open again for Newcastle United to try and recruit some new players.

After a year plagued by inconsistency, Newcastle United have ended 2024 on a fantastic hot streak that has shown just what they are capable of.

Eddie Howe’s side have won their last four games by an aggregate score of 14-1 and are through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, which could see 2025 get off to the perfect start if they can finally end their long wait for a trophy.

Alexander Isak has been in particularly scintillating form but the whole side has been performing, with Howe finally settling on his strongest XI.

There might not be much room for improvement in the starting side but extra depth is always welcome with injuries so prevalent and Newcastle will no doubt try and bring in some fresh bodies in January. Even if PSR restrictions make it difficult.

Here is everything you need to know about the January transfer window.

When does the transfer window open?

The transfer window opens once again on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

How long is the January transfer window?

In unusual fashion, the January transfer window will actually run beyond the month and won’t close until Monday, February 3, at 11 pm.

The Premier League explained the reason the window closes so late is in order to be in sync with the rest of Europe’s top leagues.

A statement published in May said: “Meanwhile, the winter window will open on Wednesday 1 January 2025 and will close at 23:00 GMT on Monday 3 February 2025.

“To ensure harmonisation with the major leagues in Europe, the closing dates were set following discussions with the EFL, DFL, Serie A, La Liga, and LFP, who will all close their Summer and Winter windows on 30 August and 3 February respectively.”

Newcastle transfer priorities in January window

Newcastle are well-stocked in a lot of areas and have one of the biggest squads in the Premier League, which doesn’t leave much room for additional players.

If they are relatively short on one area then it would be the on the flanks, with Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes the only natural wingers at the club.

The likes of Joelinton and Miguel Almiron have played out wide previously but aren’t as effective as the rapid and skilful trio.

While the in-form Murphy, Gordon and Barnes are all fit at the moment, an injury could leave Howe low on options so another forward could be recruited, with PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko heavily linked.

In an ideal world, Newcastle would also recruit a new striker to bolster Howe’s firepower.

Callum Wilson has managed just four substitute appearances this season due to a series of injuries, leaving just 21-year-old William Osula as the only back-up to Isak, who has had his own fitness issues in the past.

Gordon has been forced to play centrally if Isak has ever been unavailable and the position does not get the best out of him or the side. Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been the latest striker linked to Newcastle.

That’s probably already asking too much but, if possible, some additional defensive cover wouldn’t go amiss. Newcastle have a dependable back four but injuries mean there isn’t much depth, especially at centre-back despite the summer signing of Lloyd Kelly.

The Magpies failed in their attempts to sign Marc Guehi in the summer but could revive those plans while there is said to be interest in AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori.

The future of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon

What’s more important than signing new players? Keeping the ones Newcastle have already got. That’s for sure.

The excellent form of Isak, Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes will not have gone unnoticed by the world’s elite clubs and with Newcastle without any European football to offer, Champions League sides could be a tempting prospect.

It is absolutely crucial Newcastle keep hold of their best players and the early signs are positive.

Gordon has already told The Athletic he has ‘no plans’ to leave St. James’ Park any time soon while it’s been reported a £150m price-tag has been slapped on Isak to scare off any would-be suitors.

Speaking after the super Swede’s hat-trick against Ipswich, Howe said: “There is no part of me or anyone at Newcastle that wants to let Alex go. He’s part of our long-term plans. Personally, I don’t see that [January interest] being an issue.”

All-action midfielder Guimaraes had been repeatedly linked with a move to struggling Manchester City, but the latest reports claim he is not a target for Pep Guardiola’s side.

What Eddie Howe has said about Newcastle transfers

PSR restrictions have prevented Newcastle from spending quite as wildly as many may have hoped following the PIF takeover.

Only funds raised from the sales of Elliot Anderson and Yanukba Minteh in the summer prevented a breach of the rules and a point deduction.

Speaking ahead of the January window, Howe warned of the danger of going close to a deduction again. He said: “There is nothing more sobering than the thought of a points deduction in terms of changing what you have to do to comply.”

“I think that has been the biggest change in our reality and what we can and can’t do.”

On signing loans as an alternative to spending money on transfers, Howe again didn’t sound hopeful: “The loan market is an easy one to chuck out there and go, ‘Let’s look at loans’ but the reality of those loans is very difficult.

“Who is going to want to help us? Not many football clubs. There were probably a lot more loan options that you could do in previous years before the rules changes. I think now it probably becomes more difficult.”

It remains to be seen just how exciting a month January will be on the transfer front for Newcastle.