What is the answer to Newcastle United's struggles?
Newcastle United transfer news: The January transfer window is closing in - but what could Eddie Howe’s squad look like following the winter market?
Brought on by financial restrictions, the Magpies have endured two very quiet winter transfer windows during the previous couple of seasons. You have to go back to 2023 to see their last permanent signing in the mid-season window when Anthony Gordon and Harrison Ashby joined the club from Everton and West Ham.
This time around, though, there could be money to spend. Whilst their Premier League form has stuttered, they are going well in the Champions League and Carabao Cup and by the time the winter window opens, could have progressed to the knockout stage and semi-final in those competitions respectively.
So will the Magpies splash the cash this winter? Or will they be cautious and instead keep their pennies for next summer?
Here, we take a look at what Football Manager 26 predicts Eddie Howe’s starting XI will look like once the January transfer window closes. Would you like to see this team start matches at St James’ Park? Follow us on our social media channels and let us know your thoughts there.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United squad post-January transfer window - according to FM26
GK: Aaron Ramsdale
Ramsdale is pushing for a start and time will tell if he is able to dislodge Nick Pope as a starter. FM26 believe he will end the season as Howe’s first-choice goalkeeper.
RB: Tino Livramento
Livramento is expected to establish himself once again as Newcastle United’s starting right-back once he is able to overcome his current injury issues. He has a huge future to play at the club.
CB: Malick Thiaw
Thiaw has been the club’s most successful summer signing so far and hopes are very high for what his future holds if he can continue impressing and improving.
CB: Sven Botman
Botman may have struggled recently, but there is hope he can rediscover the form he showed during his first campaign on Tyneside.
LB: David Raum
FM26 predicts that Newcastle United will once again look to the Bundesliga to strengthen their squad. Raum could move to Tyneside as cover and competition for Lewis Hall.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes
Guimaraes is Newcastle United’s key man and any successes will be built around him.
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CM: Sandro Tonali
Alongside Guimaraes, Tonali adds fantastic quality and is someone that Howe is reliant on to bring his side success.
CM: Stanislav Lobotka
Italy has been a good market for the Magpies to shop in of late and FM26 predicts that the Napoli midfielder could be next to switch Italy for England.
RW: Anthony Gordon
Gordon’s form in the Premier League has dipped recently but there is hope that if he can rediscover his touch, then Newcastle United can start climbing the league.
LW: Jacob Ramsey
Ramsey hasn’t yet been able to establish himself as a starter under Howe, but FM26 predicts that he will play a lot of football as a number ten or on the left wing.
ST: Goncalo Ramos
Could Ramos be the answer to Newcastle United’s struggles up-front? FM26 predicts that a loan move in January for the Portuguese international could be the key for a positive end to the season.
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