Paul Mitchell is under pressure to make signings at Newcastle United in the January transfer window.
From an arrivals perspective, the wheels have barely been turning at Newcastle. This has been the case at the club for the last 18 months.
While Newcastle have made signings for the first-team in recent transfer windows. Only Lewis Hall’s arrival following a loan spell has had any impact on Eddie Howe’s starting XI’s.
Howe is keen to sign a striker, a right-sided attacker and a shot-stopper in January. However, Profit and Sustainability Rules have made things difficult for them to do business.
The summer transfer window may well have seen more additions if it weren’t for the PSR issues that forced Newcastle to sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh. The pair scored in wins for their respective clubs on Sunday, a low blow for Howe who was reluctant to see them go.
With a limited transfer budget which should be increased as a result of Miguel Almiron’s sale to Atlanta United. Newcastle need to look at the cheaper options available in January.
With that in mind, a journalist has now said a Newcastle-linked man is free to leave his club in January for a low fee.
Rayan Cherki can leave Lyon amid Newcastle links
Lyon ace Rayan Cherki is highly rated by several clubs across Europe. The Frenchman has scored five goals and bagged seven assists across Ligue 1 and the Europa League this season.
Newcastle scouts watched Cherki earlier this season, and it is thought that Toon sporting director Paul Mitchell could swoop in for the 21-year-old in January.
According to Florian Plettenberg, Lyon has told Cherki that he is free to leave the club in January. He reports that Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich are monitoring his situation alongside “several Premier League clubs.”
He also states that many view his £18.6m asking price as an “absolute bargain.”
Reports earlier in January suggested that Newcastle rivalled Tottenham for Cherki. The versatile winger was offered to Spurs by Lyon who are desperate to sell players after being handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 as a result of severe financial losses.
In the summer, Cherki was part of France’s Olympic squad managed by Thierry Henry. He helped his side win a silver medal, losing out to Spain in the final.
Cherki would suit a Newcastle move
Newcastle have high hopes of playing European football next season. Signing Cherki would give them a massive boost in their hopes to do it.
The 21-year-old can play on either wing and as an attacking midfielder. It would give Howe much greater depth and a lot of quality to go with it.
Cherki is also currently playing in the Europa League, so Newcastle would be signing an experienced player who knows what it takes to get there.
Lyon usually plays in an attacking 4-3-3 formation. Cherki has played as the right-winger for most of his appearances this season. Newcastle plays a similar style of football under Howe. Cherki should not have many issues getting up to speed with Howe’s squad.
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