Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell (left) and head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell (left) and head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United will look to strengthen their squad this January but there are fears that any incoming deals may be hard to complete due the nature of the winter transfer window. The Magpies' need to add to their squad is clear with upgrades needed in several positions of the pitch but especially when it comes to a right-winger and centre-back.
However despite the need for new arrivals to help boost Toon manager Eddie Howe and his squad, there is a fear that Newcastle may struggle to do so given the PSR restrictions, their league position and the fact January is traditionally a difficult month to trade in.
Speaking on ***The Monday Show via The Everything is Black and White Podcast,***Andrew Musgrove and Aaron Stokes both shared their views on the January market.
Newcastle United's £21 million man could be 'key'
Newcastle United outcast Miguel Almiron has been labelled as 'key' to the club's January transfer window as attention turns to strengthening Eddie Howe's squad.
With fans nor Howe understandably not wanting to contemplate seeing the exits of stars such as Bruno Guimaraes or Alexander Isak, focus is now on the fringe players who could be moved on to help raise funds. The 30-year-old was subject to interest from the MLS in the summer but no deal was struck, and since the start of the season has only been handed 270 minutes across all competitions.
Speaking about a potential January exit, Stokes said: "He holds the key to the window because if he goes and they can find a suitor for him, even if you get £15 million from him, it allows you to invest.”
Toon might struggle to persuade players to join them in January
There's no doubting that the long term project at Newcastle will be attractive to most footballers who are offered a part to play in it but with Newcastle currently 12th and behind the likes of Brentford and Bournemouth, there is a fear that any potential winter moves for reported targets such as Bryan Mbeumo, Marc Guehi or Antoine Seymeno could prove difficult to do.
Newcastle have been tipped to return to the market for Crystal Palace's Guehi, while both Seymeno and Mbeumo have been linked with a move to Tyneside after impressive starts to the campaign but even if Newcastle could find the cash to meet the asking price of either there is a wonder whether some potential targets could reject a winter move.
Host, Andrew Musgrove said: “You look at Brentford, and you're Bryan Mbeumo [and you're offered the chance to join Newcastle] and he may think 'I'll just hold off until the summer and if Liverpool are coming in for me.' Or the Same with Marc Guehi, who might say 'oh, you know, yeah, I'll get a pay rise, but let's see what happens in the summer and also see if Newcastle are going to be in Europe or not.'
"I don't think it is as black and white, as Newcastle say 'we want this player,' and they will come and join you. [January is an] Inflated market, there are PSR concerns and they probably need to sell before they buy. So that's why in my heart, I'm thinking it's not going to be an exciting January. You might not get the players needs to refresh this."
January's transfer priority - is it shifting ahead of the window opening?
There's no doubting which two positions are at at the top of the shopping list for the majority of Newcastle United fans this January - a centre-back and a right winger. But while a new arrival on the right was the priority in the summer, recent performances have begun to shift some fans' views on which position should be strengthened first.
Whilst podcast host Andrew Musgrove believes there is a strong chance Newcastle won't sign anyone 'because of the PSR risk,' our Newcastle editor Aaron Stokes believes Eddie Howe will be backed in January.
"I think they will do business but I don't think it will be the business people want in terms of the volume, but I think maybe one in and one out potentially. And again, I probably think again that it's a right winger that needs to come in.
"But I think other people will look at it and think 'Fabian Schar and Dan Burn both 32, getting no younger and their pace has gone.' and yes, Sven Botman coming back is brilliant, but for me it's still right winger they need."
You can the FULL episode of The Monday Show via YouTube by clicking here or if you want to listen to the podcast click here.