It is finally showtime for Newcastle United.
The club can now finally put their new money where their mouth is, with the winter transfer window officially open.
Several new faces are needed this month, with the club under serious threat of relegation to the Championship.
It has been a very poor start, but there have been genuine signs of improvement under Eddie Howe in recent weeks.
The work-rate has been up and Newcastle have at times played some good stuff.
But the reality is some Magpies players just aren’t good enough.
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The defence in particular is in need of major surgery.
One man who has been heavily linked with a move to St. James’ Park for weeks now is Kieran Trippier.
The 35-cap England international is supposedly one of Newcastle’s main priorities.
It has been reported that a formal bid has been submitted to Atletico Madrid. And there is hope that the club will get this one over the line fairly sharpish.
According to Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards, the proposed move could be completed in the next few days. He adds, though, that there is ‘still work to be done’ at the moment.
Get it done and move on to the next
Newcastle must work quickly and efficiently this month.
It is vital that the club don’t drag things out.
Trippier is a player who can massively improve Newcastle’s backline. He is a vastly experienced player, who has obviously been working under Diego Simeone, one of the best defensive coaches in the world.
Trippier is also a threat offensively, so he would make a fantastic addition.
Hopefully most of the groundwork was laid before the window opened, and it is now just about tying up loose ends.