The January transfer window slammed shut last week, and despite ‘rumours’ of the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Dominic Solanke amongst many others linked, there were no first-team additions for Newcastle United.
18 year-old Alfie Harrison was the only signing for the club last month, who moved from Manchester City. He is no doubt a talented youngster, netting 8 times in 8 games in the U18 Premier League, but first-team additions were needed last month.
So, where does that leave Newcastle United in terms of recruitment? It is a common theory that perhaps the club are biding their time for the summer transfer window, that will likely see players leave the club either on a free transfer or for a fee, thus hopefully resulting in signings to bolster the squad similar to that of the January transfer window in 2022.
Here are five possible signings for Newcastle United this summer, from the top 5 nations outside of the Premier League based on the UEFA coefficients.
LA LIGA 🇪🇸
Alex Remiro (GK) – Real Sociedad – Market value: £19m
The Real Sociedad goalkeeper is 2nd in the stats table for most clean sheets in La Liga this season with 10, as he has helped his side concede just 21 times this season; less than Girona, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. In the 22/23 season, he was 2nd again in the clean sheets table, after topping it in the 21/22 season with 19 clean sheets. In the Champions League this season, Real Sociedad conceded just twice in the group stages (the least for any of the 32 sides) with Remiro registering 4 clean sheets.
With a 78.3% save percentage per 90, Remiro is also good with the ball at his feet; a pass accuracy of 74.5%, averaging 7 successful long balls per 90 too. Will Newcastle have a new keeper between the sticks next season?
BUNDESLIGA 🇩🇪
Alejandro Grimaldo (LB) – Bayer Leverkusen – Market value: £33m
Grimaldo has played a huge part in Leverkusen’s title-chasing season, contributing 7 goals and 9 assists from left-back, starting all 20 of their Bundesliga games so far. The Spaniard offers plenty of attacking threat, with 0.35 goals per 90 and 0.45 assists per 90. Boasting a pass accuracy of 87.5% and averaging 2.21 chances created per 90, he would be a great addition to Newcastle’s defensive department team.
Defensively, he has won 53.1% tackles (compared to Dan Burn’s 44.7%) and 54.6% duels this season, showing that he is capable of performing at both ends of the pitch. The only question mark is his age – turning 29 in September, so would a younger alternative be the better option, or could Grimaldo be Newcastle’s starting left-back next season?
SERIE A 🇮🇹
Giorgio Scalvini (CB) – Atalanta – Market value: £35m
With a 32 year-old Fabian Schär, (albeit he is aging like fine wine) and a likely departure of Jamal Lascelles in the summer, fresh blood in the heart of defence wouldn’t go amiss. The Atalanta defender is a towering figure for the Italian side at 6ft 4, hence the reason for his 68.2% aerial duels won this season.
The 20 year-old also has a pass accuracy of 81.7% and creates 0.45 chances per 90. He would be a perfect ball-playing centre-back partner for Sven Botman, and being a right-footer it would bring balance to the defence. Atalanta have conceded just 22 goals this season (the 4th lowest) with Scalvini playing an pivotal part in the defensive astuteness of La Dea, who sit 4th in Serie A. He would come with a hefty transfer fee – but it could be a clever signing for a player likened to Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni.
LIGUE 1 🇫🇷
Maxence Caqueret (DM/CM) – Lyon – Market value: £20m
It’s been a season to forget for Olympique Lyonnais, with the French giants flirting with relegation to Ligue 2 – which would end a 35-year stay in the topflight. One of the shining lights to Lyon’s disappointing season has been the young Frenchman Maxence Caqueret. Playing predominantly as a centre midfielder, he can also play as both an attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder, displaying his versatility in the middle-of-the-park.
Although he has registered 0 goals and 1 assist this season, he would be a perfect signing to slot into the number 6 role for Newcastle. 72% successful tackles won, 7.95 recoveries per 90 with a pass accuracy of 85.9% proving that. Still at 23 years-old, he also starred 4 times for France U21’s in the European Championships last summer, and looking to make the step up to the senior team. Could another Lyon midfielder be on the way to Tyneside?
EREDIVISIE 🇳🇱
Johan Bakayoko (RW) – PSV – Market value: £26m
PSV Eindhoven sit 10 points clear at the top of the Dutch top flight, scoring an impressive 63 goals in their 20 league games so far this season. A big factor in their success has been down to Belgian youngster Johan Bakayoko, who has netted 4 times and assisted 8 from right wing in the 23/24 campaign. Per 90 minutes he creates 2.68 chances and is dispossessed just once on average per 90. Furthermore, he isn’t afraid of having an effort on goal either; averaging 3.81 shots per 90 and 0.95 shots on target per game.
Granted the Eredivisie is a different level of football to the Premier League, but Bakayoko has also contributed to PSV’s progression in the Champions League; a 71.4% dribble success and an average of 3.42 shots per game (1.33 on target) as the Dutch side finished 2nd in their group. With rumours of Miguel Almiron’s exit likely to resurface in the summer, Bakayoko would be an exciting addition on the wing. Market value – £26m
All stats accurate as of Wednesday 8th February 2024.
✍️ NUFC SUMMER RECRUITMENT ☀️
The January transfer window slammed shut last week, and despite ‘rumours’ of the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Dominic Solanke amongst many others linked, there were no first-team additions for Newcastle United.
18 year-old Alfie Harrison was the… pic.twitter.com/MzgqRK8Vkd
— Magpie 24/7 (@Magpie24_7) February 7, 2024
