Newcastle look set to prioritise the signing of a new right winger over the arrival of a central defender in January, according to reports.
Courtesy of Mark Douglas at the i, it’s believed the welcome form of Dan Burn, who has expertly deputised in the place of the injured Sven Botman, and continued struggles of Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron has led to a change of heart behind the scenes ahead of the winter window.
Douglas writes “Burn’s performances have been good enough to switch the focus on Newcastle’s recruitment away from centre-back options to right wing, an area they sorely need reinforcements.”
“On Saturday current occupant Jacob Murphy delivered the sort of performance that infuriates: plenty of running but precious little cutting edge. It meant Newcastle looked lopsided, reliant on Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak for goals on a day when neither fired.”
Goalscoring has been a major concern for the normally deadly and clinical side Eddie Howe has assembled: it’s been over six hours since the Magpies last scored from open play, and they’ve scored multiple goals on only two occasions this season, against Spurs and Wolves.
Defensively meanwhile, the Toon have definitely exorcised some of the defensive demons from last season, with Burn, Fabian Schar, and Lewis Hall amongst the standout names at the back.
The change could delay Newcastle’s long-term pursuit of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, who had previously been the discussion of a cut price January bid.
However, the “Newcastle tax” could come into effect if we choose to enter the right winger market this winter, with the January window likely to throw up a lack of available or affordable options in a notoriously tough window to strike good deals.
With that in mind, Toon chiefs may soon have to make a difficult decision in whether they avoid overpaying or risk further fan frustration and a decline in form if they fail to address their current attacking issues.
Eddie Howe only wants players who “really want to play for Newcastle” was his quote.
If reports are to be believed, that should finally rule out any move for Guehi thank goodness.
We need a centre forward and a right winger, and a defensive holding midfielder who can plug that chasm we have when a ball is played over the top of our midfield.
These additions are needed before any centre back.
Joseph(Quote)
You can forget any fantasies about a “Newcastle tax”. If we want a player, we need to cough up and pay the going rate, whatever that happens to be. Much bigger clubs than us could claim such a “tax”, and it doesn’t stop them signing who they think will improve them. We won’t get into Europe waiting for bargains.
davewallace(Quote)
Things haven’t changed since summer; CB, RW and CF. It felt less about priority and more about oppprtunity then.
Nufc did go for Olise and that feels often overlooked due to the Guehi fiasco. Losing out on Adarabioyo feels significant as the first indicator of the dysfunctional summer that unfolded
If botman recovers then CB feels less of an issue in Jan ( notwithstanding my thoughts on schar this year) so concur CF and RW feel most urgent. Doubt we’ll see both positions addressed in Jan tho. Oh and don’t forget the clubs fascination with Trafford.
Disagree on DCM as Guimaraes has previously played very well there
Jonesy(Quote)
Jonesy:-
Bruno can play DCM but that is not his best position, he often gets caught in possession.
He is better a bit further forward and is one of the few or only creative midfield players we have.
Joseph(Quote)