Newcastle United faces a huge month in January, as the club must identify the players that will improve their chances of survival and also fit the mold of character that the new owners want for future windows. It’s likely that the Toon will be the biggest spenders in the January window, as they look to improve both ends of the field to enhance their chances of staying in the Premier League this season.
Defenders will be high on the agenda for Eddie Howe following his appointment, but which central defenders could be brought in to help the leaky Newcastle defence?
James Tarkowski
Burnley defender James Tarkowski rates highly when it comes to the defenders that the club are most likely to bring in. The Clarets also find themselves in the relegation scrap, which means bringing in the defender will not only improve Newcastle’s defence, but also severely weaken one of their rivals.
Tarkowski is an international defender and will bring with him a wealth of experience when it comes to getting out of a relegation scrap. The England defender has averaged 1.5 tackles per game this season, as well as 5.1 clearances.
Nathan Ake
Howe may return to a player that has been tried and tested to him throughout his career, and a reunion with Nathan Ake could be a feasible signing. The Dutchman has failed to make an impression since signing for Manchester City, and has found first-team opportunities hard to come by since the arrival of Ruben Dias a couple of years ago.
Ake has played three times for City in the league this season, and has averaged two clearances and one tackle per game. With Howe likely to implement a possession-based game, a defender that can bring the ball out from the back will likely be high on his agenda. Ake could be that centre half.
Boubacar Kamara
Newcastle could return in the market for a player that evaded them last summer. Boubacar Kamara was reportedly keen on a move to St James’ Park just a couple of months ago, and Marseille may be more willing to negotiate with the Magpies in January, with the central defender’s contract set to expire in the summer.
The 21-year-old would be an excellent signing for the Magpies, as he could be a player that could start at the heart of the defence for seasons to come. Kamara has been in strong form in Ligue 1 so far this season, averaging 1.3 tackles per game and one interception. Once again, he is another ball-carrying defender, and could see Newcastle’s price with some of the leading betting apps UK shorten immediately after a deal is announced.
Phil Jones
Newcastle could instead look for a short-term fix for their defensive issues and acquire Manchester United’s, Phil Jones. The 29-year-old has barely got a look-in for the Red Devils in recent seasons, as he made his last start in the Premier League back in the 2019-20 season. Despite his issues with fitness and long-standing injury problems, he is a central defender that will immediately improve the Magpies backline.
Throughout his Premier League career, he has averaged at least a tackle and 2.0 clearances per game. It could be a deal that may be easier than most to strike, as United will likely listen to any kind of permanent deal for the former England international.