Newcastle United are yet to make any signings in the January transfer window.
The January transfer has been anything but exciting on Tyneside. However, things are set to spice us as the window nears its closure.
Newcastle have green-lit Miguel Almiron’s sale to Atlanta United – they will bag around £10m from the sale. Although transfers have been non-existent, the Magpies are believed to have been busy in January from a scouting perspective.
Newcastle chief scout Steve Nickson watched Lille star Jonathan David bag an assist in Ligue 1 earlier in January. David is out of contract in the summer. and Newcastle are keen to sign the 25-year-old on a free.
The January transfer window is a hard time to do deals – Newcastle executives know that. Sporting director Paul Mitchell has played down January spending with PSR a big catalyst for that.
In the summer, fans should expect departures with several longstanding players due to leave the club upon the expiry of their contract.
However, recent words from David Ornstein have suggested one player who could be a serious contender to leave the club.
David Ornstein picks Newcastle player who could leave in the summer
The feeling around the club is that before buying, Newcastle need to sell. Toon boss Eddie Howe has been reluctant to let players go midway through the season – it was evident when approaches for Newcastle defender Lloyd Kelly were knocked back.
Even though Kelly has not been a regular feature this season, Howe still wants him at the club to provide backup where needed.
The summer transfer window could be a completely different story.
Speaking to NBC Sports channel Ornstein named Alexander Isak as a player who will have a lot more noise around his future in the summer window.
Ornstein said: “I don’t want to upset Newcastle fans, but I do think we’ll be hearing a lot more about Arsenal and (Alexander) Isak due to Mikel Arteta’s affinity with him. He nearly signed him from Real Sociedad before he went to Newcastle.”
Arsenal are heavily linked with Isak. However, Newcastle are very reluctant to let Isak go. Mitchell made their reluctance clear when he slapped a £150m price tag on Isak.
The price means that the Gunners have to consider their options. Newcastle target Matheus Cunha is wanted by Arsenal after his contract talks with Wolves have stalled.
READ MORE: Who is Alexander Isak? Age, Height, Family, Nationality, Roots
What Newcastle must do to keep Isak
Isak has been Newcastle’s best player so far this season. The Swede has scored 15 Premier League goals and has helped the Magpies build an advantage in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
However, Newcastle must not believe that they can keep Isak forever. A recent report suggested that Isak wants to play Champions League football – he may have to do that elsewhere if Newcastle fail to qualify this season.
Newcastle were in contract talks with Isak, but the deal has since stalled. It is believed that Isak wants to wear Newcastle’s number nine shirt and become the club’s highest earner.
To give him what he wants, Newcastle would have to offer more than the £160,000 per week they are paying to the current highest earner Bruno Guimaraes.
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