The Athletic have released an update on the current state of play at Newcastle United after a quiet start to the January transfer window.
They report reveals that Dan Ashworth has been in Saudi Arabia this month to meet with PIF representatives and discuss our transfer blueprint, with the ‘consistent message’ from meetings stressing that the bulk of our business will take place over the second half of January; a time where appealing loan deals are likely to be sanctioned.
Chris Waugh adds that a transfer committee – likely to consist of our co-owners, Dan Ashworth, Eddie Howe and Steve Nickson – will meet this week to firm up our transfer plans, with the Toon boss eager to bring in a midfielder and versatile forward. Goalkeepers are being explored following a long-term injury to Nick Pope, but it’s thought a new stopper is ‘unlikely’ to arrive, as things stand.
The club are being forced to be “creative” in the market and there’s hope Kalvin Phillips could arrive on loan from Man City, but The Athletic reveal that domestic and overseas alternatives are also being explored, with club scouts attending a series of games in recent days to watch over a host of potential targets.
It’s also said that Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have stressed to Eddie Howe that they are working hard to improve the squad while working within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. Loan deals with options or obligations to buy remain the most likely route to new arrivals, with the club having one domestic loan slot available after Lewis Hall’s summer move from Chelsea.
It’s believed no one has been ‘transfer listed’, despite reports suggesting certain squad players are up for sale, but moving on fringe men or ageing assets is an avenue that will be explored, with player trading likely to take place this summer to help us manage FFP constraints.
So, it seems a midfielder and versatile forward are the priorities, loans are likely and the club are very much active in their attempts to bolster Howe’s squad, but it may not be until the second half of January where we see ins and outs.
