Newcastle United are aiming to improve three positions in the January transfer window.
The Magpies are pushing to qualify for European football after failing to qualify last season as a result of Manchester United’s FA Cup win.
However, five Premier League wins in a row have propelled Eddie Howe’s side up to fifth in the table, just a point off Chelsea in fourth – the Magpies continue to pile the pressure on third-placed Nottingham Forest.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 3 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 20 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 29 | 19 | 10 | 40 |
| 4 |  ChelseaChelsea | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 39 | 24 | 15 | 36 |
| 5 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 20 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 34 | 22 | 12 | 35 |
| 6 |  Man CityManchester City | 20 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 36 | 27 | 9 | 34 |
The turn in form is bound to catch the eye of players across England and Europe eyeing a move away. Mitchell wants to sign youth from abroad but January is typically a bad time to do business, but Howe must put his confidence in sporting director Paul Mitchell to get deals over the line.
Newcastle still need to fund arrivals, but recent speculation suggests they could be imminent.
As the Magpies prepare for an important Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal, here are the latest transfer news and rumours.
Newcastle leading Chelsea to Caoimhin Kelleher
The Magpies are looking at to sign a goalkeeper in January as Martin Dubravka prepares to leave Newcastle.
Speaking on the Fully Loaded Transfer Show, journalist Ben Jacobs confirmed that Liverpool goalkeeper Kelleher is a goalkeeper that Newcastle “really like”.
Jacobs said: “There is a market opportunity there because Mamardashvili is coming in, Alisson may well stay and Mamardashvili might not be the number one next season.
“There is no indication so far that Liverpool plan on loaning Mamardashvili out to keep it as Alisson and Kelleher next season.
“So Kelleher suddenly is likely to become a number three which is not something he is comfortable with. He doesn’t really want to stay as a number two either.
“We heard some reports that Chelsea might come in the mix for Kelleher, but I am told there is some substance to Newcastle and Kelleher.”
Newcastle interested in PSG’s Lee Kang-in
Howe is prioritising a winger in January, and Mitchell may have just struck gold by identifying PSG star Lee Kang-in as a potential target.
According to TuttoMercatoWeb, Newcastle are “a few days away” from approaching the 23-year-old who has scored more goals than Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy this season.
The report also states Lee would cost Newcastle around £33.1m, Arsenal are also interested and are in discussions with the South Korean but Mitchell could hijack the deal if he’s fast enough.
James McAtee to Fulham over Newcastle
Newcastle want Manchester City winger James McAtee but recent reports suggest the Magpies are set to lose out on him to Fulham.
Also speaking on the Fully Loaded Transfer Show, Jacobs was asked about the prospect of Newcastle signing McAtee in January.
He said: “Fulham was the club I heard rather than Newcastle,”
“It feels like City’s priorities are not about losing young talent or depth and it’s therefore going to be player-driven if McAtee goes. We know that if these young players go to Pep Guardiola and say they want to leave you have a situation where City don’t always tend to stand in their way.
“I don’t think for sure it’s definitive yet. A bit like Evan Ferguson at Brighton, that there will just be a loan for McAtee or a loan with an option.
“I think you might have the two extremes of you stay or you leave permanently. Unfortunately, he could be valued as high as £40m which would prove out of Newcastle’s budget”.
Matt Targett set for Newcastle exit
Geordie Boot Boys understands that Newcastle United defender Matt Targett can leave on loan in January.
The left-back has made one appearance for Newcastle this season, an 11-minute stint off the bench in Newcastle’s win against Aston Villa.
Targett has been plagued with injury problems in the last season, he was forced off against Manchester United in November 2023 and only returned to Newcastle’s first-team squad at the start of the season.
Geordie Boot Boys understands that the 29-year-old has interest from clubs across the Premier League and the Championship as well as Eintracht Frankfurt, Anderlecht and Besiktas.
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