It’s set to be a big month for Newcastle United in the January transfer market, in terms of both incoming and outgoing players.
The search for a young midfielder from Europe to join the squad goes on, with Kees Smit seemingly off the table (and catching the eye of Real Madrid) the likes of Kevin Danois and Luciano Valente remain sought-after targets.
Meanwhile the situation surrounding Joe Willock remains unclear, as whilst he is attracting Premier League interest, the latest reports hint that he could be here until at least the end of the season.
And according to a new report, we could be seeing more than just Willock depart this month, as four of our top youngsters may be sent out on loan – and there’s some surprising inclusions…
Four youngsters could depart
The Athletic report that Newcastle are exploring January loans to secure first-team minutes for youngsters Sean Neave, Leo Shahar, Alfie Harrison and Alex Murphy.
Neave, Shahar and Murphy have each featured in Eddie Howe’s matchday squads in recent weeks amidst our earlier injury crisis, but now that looks to be easing with Wissa, Livramento, Trippier and Hall all fit, any opportunities may dry up beyond Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Bournemouth.
We can predict that Neave and Shahar, should they be sent out on loan this window, will do so upon the conclusion of our UEFA Youth League campaign, where both have featured prominently despite our ongoing winless run in the competition.
Murphy is a more interesting case to ponder: he’s one of the very few natural left backs available to Howe, and would be a fine rotation option should Lewis Hall become injured or fatigued and none of Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier or Dan Burn are available to deputise in Hall’s absence.
Harrison, meanwhile, is a player who has been clamouring for proper minutes for some time now: signed from Manchester City to much hype and anticipation back in February 2024, the 20-year-old has the talent needed to succeed, but just needs to be afforded the right opportunity.
Ashby for sale
Speaking of fullbacks and departures, it looks like the end of the road is approaching for Harrison Ashby, whose days here on Tyneside may be numbered.
The Athletic state that he has been made available for permanent transfer, having failed to make a senior appearance for us since his move from West Ham back in 2023.
Though he did previously train with the senior squad back in the summer, another stint in the Championship seems most likely for the 24-year-old: a shame considering the £3m fee and genuine potential he arrived with from West Ham.
Lets hope our loan department don’t mess it up like they have done in the past as for Ashby it was pretty clear a while back he’s not a prem league player.
I’m just surprised we have held on to him for so long, looking at his loans and the like i’d say his level atm is probably mid to low Championship
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
Can,t understand why they are keeping willock if the moneys there sell E H has got a lot to answer for the back line pensioner club keeper that can not punch a ball in the air the bench cant get a game in the championship then EH telling supporters we dont need no one in this window Ross Wilson must be a push over letting EH get all his own way and comes out with comments that as long he can run things he will stay GET RID now win three games and expects to be manager of the month
Keith Richardson(Quote)
Ashby was always a mistake, West ham reject , ? Why we bought him i will never know , probably sell for 1 million if that . Eddie has to give some of these youngsters a chance he praises them but they need the chance to make that step up . (Sorry but this is Eddie’s achiles heal ) he always sticks with what he knows . We need to move on more players now than we have , willock, big Joe, trips, lascell, and possibly big burn or even schar. We have two options give the young lads a chance or go big in the market next summer ??????
S.dodds(Quote)
He wasn’t a mistake or a West Ham reject, they tried hard to keep him and at the time there was a lot of interest in him including the likes of Man Utd, he was what every young player is a gamble.
It’s just a fact of life that not every hot prospect makes it at first that also doesn’t mean he can’t come good later in his life like others have.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
Just like we’ve done with joe white. He’s now 23, barely get a kick in league 1, clear as day he ain’t going make the grade.
Rob(Quote)
Exactly, it’***** and miss. He didn’t work out, Minteh made us a huge profit and saved us a 10 point deduction. Kuol a small profit. One Minteh out of 7\8 even is a good hit rate…..
Plus Ashby was £1.3m – £3m was if he got all add on payments. As he never played competitively we haven’t paid any at all
East Stand(Quote)
Hit and miss…not sure why that is censored!
East Stand(Quote)
yeah keeping young players too long is something we seem to do and get little if no return on them but i guess the lads that aren’t going to make the grade aren’t easy to sell.
It’s a difficult one to call but a competent loan department would be a good start.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
Keith Richardson. It’s always easy to look at the alternative to the current manager.
He’s been here a while and we get to know how he ticks. The past tells me that you can wind up with a load of tripe that either don’t get the club, think their bigger than the club, or are just totally inept or all of those things.
Kevin Keegan, Bobby Robson understood the job and what it takes. So does this fella. He cannot just go out and buy who ever he likes. I agree the goalkeeping department is not as strong as it could be, but you can’t blame Eddy for that. He tried to bring Trafford but was just gazumped by City.
He didn’t want to sell Isac either.
And that defence, as old as it is, is the best defence as a group this clubs had in my lifetime. With exception to Moncur and Woodgate the centre halves would get in any team in any era in this clubs history. Trippier was a god send, Livaramento and Hall are top class and I could only name Slan Kennedy and Olivier Bernard who could compete with either.
The Little Birdy(Quote)