The January transfer window is now open for business and Newcastle United fans are hoping for some activity from their club this month.
With performances not quite living up to expectations and injuries hitting the Newcastle squad left, right, and centre, it’s safe to say Eddie Howe needs some help.
YOU are in control – who are you signing?
It's obvious what Newcastle United need in January. Now you have the money to spend. Use it wisely!
Howe made it clear he wants a full-back and a midfielder in the new year. The former would be to provide cover and competition for Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, while the latter would be with a genuine upgrade in mind.
Apparently, PIF may spend up to £100m this month and give Howe three new players. Whether that happens or not is another matter, but we do have two deals in mind that they can make to add to the squad, plus one departure that feels inevitable.
Who could Newcastle United sign in January transfer window?
Nathan Ake could be the perfect signing
Finding accomplished full-backs is not easy in today’s game. That task is especially difficult given Newcastle want a defender to play second fiddle to Livramento and Hall. However, there is a solution to the Magpies’ defensive issues.
Not only do Newcastle have a lack of depth out wide, but their central defensive options have been depleted with injuries to Dan Burn and Sven Botman. Bringing Nathan Ake to Newcastle makes perfect sense, then.
The Man City man is keen to leave due to a lack of game time, and a loan move to Newcastle is certainly feasible. Given he can play in the middle or on the left, he would essentially kill two birds with one stone.
Ake has rejected a move to West Ham already as he has aspirations of playing at the top level still, which is something Newcastle can offer. It’s early days with this one, but we have hope a deal can be completed.
PIF to splash out on Kees Smit?
Newcastle have been linked with lots of midfielders over the past few months, but no name has popped up more prominently than Kees Smit.
Pretty much every top club is interested in the AZ Alkmaar starlet, and his price tag is thought to be at least £53m. Bringing him in would be the biggest January move PIF have made at Newcastle, but it’s exactly the kind of show of ambition that’s needed to take the club forward.
Fabrizio Romano doesn’t think Smit will go in January, but if Newcastle stump up the cash and push hard, they could well convince Alkmaar and the young player to make the move.
Prove me wrong: Newcastle United should sell Joelinton in January if they get a big offer 💰
Selling players in January isn't ideal but he has peaked
Joelinton to leave Newcastle?
Adding another midfielder to the ranks would almost certainly spell the end for Joelinton at Newcastle. The Brazilian has been a loyal servant over the last six years, but his time is up.
To be fair, Joelinton’s display versus Burnley proved his doubters wrong, but it’s not enough to suggest he’s part of the new era at Newcastle.
It’s thought Newcastle would demand £50m for Joelinton, with a move to Saudi Arabia on the cards. That money would go a long way towards paying for someone like Kees Smit, and let’s be honest, the Magpies are never going to be able to get that much in the summer or beyond. It’s now or never for this deal.
Sign up to TalkingPoints for free to join the conversation about all things Newcastle United with Geordie Boot Boys!