Craig Hope has offered an update on three Newcastle targets as we head into the January transfer window.

Our interest in both James Trafford and Marc Guehi appear to be ongoing, with the pair of Englishmen being long-admired by Eddie Howe. PSV winger Johan Bakayoko has also been the centre of many rumours as we enter the Winter window.

Whether or not we are able to complete a signing of their stature at the midpoint of the season has been a question on the lips of many, and the Daily Mail’s North East reporter has provided a fresh piece of insight.

January update on three Toon targets

In the latest transfer briefing piece for The Mail, Hope hasn’t completely ruled out the acquisition of the signature of any of the trio – but believes a move for all three would be more likely in the summer.

For both Trafford and Guehi, a move would only be “revisited” in January if an opportunity to sign either at a reasonable price came up. However, mid-season bargains are rare and Hope insists the club will NOT become embroiled in another public and drawn out Guehi saga after August’s antics. 

As for Bakayoko, the PSV winger considered a high value target who is “very unlikely” to arrive on Tyneside in January, and is the most likely of the three that will have to wait until the summer to see a move gain serious traction.

Big moves more likely next summer?

Everything we’re reading from journalists and Eddie Howe points towards a tough January, and the latest update from Hope only further compounds that.

Our struggles with PSR have been well-publicised, making a big mid-season move unlikely unless we were to sell a few fringe players. Even if we do free up funds and move on the likes of Miguel Almiron and/or Sean Longstaff, January has always been a tough time to sign top targets. 

Prices pre-PSR were always inflated in January, as selling clubs are not given long to find replacements and will often demand a premium as a result. With that in mind and Newcastle wary of finding high-value deals, you can see why it’s tricky. 

Next summer will allow for more excitement no doubt, as it doesn’t seem likely a big player comes through the door this month. Saying that, you never know with Newcastle, who sometimes surprise us after dampening expectations through the media.