Chris Waugh shares what ‘someone very high up’ at Newcastle has told him about new signings this month

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With just over a week to go in the January transfer window, Newcastle United are actually weaker than they were at the start of the month.

Only slightly weaker, and not as weak as it could have been after talk that Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson could leave the club over the weekend.

There was a Toon departure on Sunday, but it was Javi Manquillo who called time on his Newcastle United career. His move to Celta Vigo was finalised, with the Spaniard reunited with Rafa Benitez.

His exit means Newcastle have one less body, but Manquillo was not someone who was having a major role this season. He leaves after playing zero minutes and being on the bench just twice.

Eddie Howe has been able to get rid of some deadwood, but whether or not that opens up the door for Newcastle to bring in a fresh face or two remains to be seen.

It is clear that the Magpies need reinforcements, but whether or not they will be able to still hangs in the balance according to the Athletic’s Chris Waugh.

50-50 whether Newcastle will sign anyone this month

Journalist Chris Waugh has shared what he has been told about Newcastle making new signings on the Athletic’s latest episode of the Daily Transfer Briefing.

“As things stand, speaking to someone very high up in the club a couple of days ago, the response was that it was a coin toss as to whether Newcastle would be able to sign anyone” he said.

January transfer window hangs in the balance for Newcastle

Newcastle United might sign someone this month. They might not. Chris Waugh believes that it hangs in the balance, with his source at St James’ Park seemingly not very confident at all about a new signing arriving.

That is a stark contrast to the start of the month when there was confidence about Kalvin Phillips arriving on loan from Manchester City.

Now that deal appears to be off, while it is unclear if anyone else will arrive.

That is a big concern, as Newcastle’s squad is worryingly light right now. It could be strengthened if someone like Kieran Trippier were to leave, but sanctioning his exit would only hinder the club further.

It is a difficult situation that Newcastle find themselves in, but one that has been slightly unavoidable given their rotten injury luck.