Alan Shearer has been discussing his hopes and fears ahead of a big January transfer window for Newcastle United, discussing Alexander Isak, our need for new attackers, Marc Guehi and Miguel Almiron.
Speaking to Betfair, our former No.9 feels it would be “crazy” to sell Isak in the new year and doesn’t think we will after a report this week suggested we’d cash in if an offer of £115m came our way.
Instead, he feels Newcastle should be bolstering our attack in January, feeling a right-winger and/or striker is needed given Almiron’s likely exit and Wilson’s struggles to stay fit.
It remains to be seen how much money we’ll have to spend, but Shearer feels there must be funds available given we were bidding big for Marc Guehi just a few months ago.
Responding first to the Isak rumours, he said: “There have been reports this week that Newcastle would be willing to take £115m for Alexander Isak in January.
“For me, it’s a no. Unless they have a like-for-like, world-class replacement ready to come in then it would be crazy to sell him in January and I don’t think they will. It’s not a viable option.
On potential incomings in January, Shearer added: “Will we see Newcastle do any business in January? I haven’t got a clue. I really don’t. I’d like to see someone come in because they need someone, whether it’s a right-sided player or another forward because Callum Wilson has been out.
“I know he came back against West Ham, but it’s about can he stay fit? Probably not because he’s had a lot of injuries throughout his career. If they can strengthen in January, I’d like to see that but I don’t know the situation behind the scenes.”
“Clearly there’s cash available if they were bidding for Marc Guehi but I don’t know if that would’ve meant selling one of the big-hitters in the summer. I don’t like the PSR rules and I don’t think they’re fair or right but that’s the situation we’re in.
Shearer also responded to reports linking Miguel Almiron with a January move away, feeling it may be the right time to move on the Paraguayan.
“It doesn’t look as if Miguel Almiron’s future is at Newcastle. He’s not been involved at all really, only as a squad player so that would tell you that he’ll possibly be one of the players that they’ll be looking to offload.
“No one can ever fault his effort at Newcastle. Whenever he’s put the shirt on, he’s always tried his very best. He had that one season where everything was going in that he was touching but he hasn’t been able to rectify that and for where Newcastle want to be, it looks as if he’ll be one of the players that they’ll sell to bring some money in.”
