The January window has been a quiet one so far, with exits for young talents an early theme as our senior squad waits for potential reinforcements in defence following long-term injuries to Tino Livramento and Fabian Schar.
Two more Mags have been linked with potential moves this week, with an out-of-contract Under-21 talent joining Jamaal Lascelles in receiving interest.
Birmingham eyeing Toon talent
According to The Mail, Newcastle United talent Alfie Harrison is receiving interest from Birmingham City.
Not details are given, but the Championship side may be eyeing up a cut-price move for the 20-year-old, who could leave on the cheap this month now he’s entered the final six months of his contract at Newcastle.
Despite paying a seven-figure fee to land the midfielder from Man City back in February 2024, the attacking midfielder has struggled to make a big impression on Tyneside.
While his record within the Under-21 set up has been promising, bagging 12 assists in the Premier League 2 over the past season and a half, his inclusion in Eddie Howe’s senior squad has faded, with 16-year-old Sam Alabi getting the nod instead.
Lascelles offered move?
The same report shares an update on Jamaal Lascelles’ future, suggesting our former skipper could be set for a move abroad.
The Mail state that Lascelles is ‘attracting offers from Turkey’, with January our final chance to land a small fee for the long-serving 32-year-old, as he too is out of contract this summer.
This isn’t the first time Super Lig sides have been tipped to sign the defender, with Besiktas and Trabzonspor both linked over the past few transfer windows.
The former Nottingham Forest man has only featured twice this season and is struggling to regain full fitness, with Eddie Howe recently revealing that the centre-back is not feeling comfortable in his body, keeping him out of training.
Jamal should have been sold seasons ago ., now he don’t want to play as his body don’t feel good.😂, all on 60 k a week .,, Howe does that happen
Mike(Quote)
Michael Bolton(Quote)
Harrison shouldn’t be sold yet, player development isn’t a straight line. 1 year extension & 6 month loan is better as we won’t get much money on a sale right now. Also Alabi didn’t take ‘his’ spot. Harrison is a playmaker/AM & we don’t tend to play that way right now while Alabi is a CDM. Its more of a choice of which position to have a backup in on the bench though it’s highly unlikely we’d throw Alabi in right now. More of a worry that Leo Shahar isn’t making the bench & we’re looking for a loan move for him when short of wing backs.
P(Quote)
If we are to believe what we are told, Jamal Lascelles reputation of being a good servant to the club is currently being flushed down the toilet, unable to play yet ready for a transfer.
Some serious mismanagement of players needs to be looked at with regards to injuries, time out and the medical team performance.
Joseph(Quote)
P :-
Our development record of players loaned out or at home is not particularly inspiring considering the number of “magnificent talents” for the future we have brought in and are now being offloaded one way or another.
I firmly believe some of these players will thrive at another club because they will be given the chance to do so and managed properly.
Joseph(Quote)
I think the biggest issue with Harrison is he’s a 10 and we don’t play with a 10.
You look at the versatility of Miley – Harrison doesn’t offer that.
Would it be worth developing him & having a player like that on the bench to come on and offer something different – maybe Howe sees that in Ramsey and Willock already.
We are stuck in limbo a little bit at the moment though – he’s got players like Lascelles, Krafth, Target, Trippier – ageing big wage players who are either injured or not being used. But he’s not turning to youngsters either.
I’d far rather see him get rid of the older players and blood some of the young players – give them a chance.
Yes they’ll make mistakes, but develop them and build the squad from within.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy17:- 👍
It begs the question what Howe actually sees Willock being able to offer if anything, can’t offer the excuse of him being new to Howe’s system or needing to acclimatise in any way.
He has regressed terribly following his injuries and basically not up to it.
I haven’t given up on Ramsey yet but he is poor defensively and offers no bite up front.
Elanga though has just been P*** poor so far and Wissa is not much better when you look at his age, cost and finishing so far. You need to be a special player to cope with the pressure of being a number 9 at Newcastle and it doesn’t look as though he can.
The ageing players who are draining resources must be dealt with instead of the loyalty and leadership nonsense we are peddled.
Joseph(Quote)