Two weeks tomorrow, the January transfer window will open, offering Newcastle United a much-needed opportunity to improve a squad that’s suddenly looking thin in a few key areas.
At the back, we’re missing Dan Burn for the next six weeks, have Sven Botman managing a back issue and two out of contract defenders ruled out until the new year in Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth.
In attack, Nick Woltemade is battling fatigue and Yoane Wissa is still building match sharpness after a long battle with a knee injury, while Will Osula continues to be linked with a January switch to Frankfurt despite an ongoing ankle issue.
This brings us nicely to two areas of the pitch Newcastle look set to target in January, with The i’s Mark Douglas reporting that a versatile defender and striker are on the agenda.
Newcastle are expected to be ‘active’ next month and realise this is an appropriate time to add some mid-season ‘impetus’ to the side.
A new defender is considered the minimum requirement, with a versatile option making sense given our lack of full-back cover to protect the young and recently injured duo of Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento, coupled with the unlikely event Matt Targett returns from his loan spell at Middlesbrough.
Up top, a lot may depend on Osula’s fitness and future as a switch to Frankfurt beckons, meaning the arrival of another striker could be heavily dependant on the Dane.
If he stays, is there room for another striker? I’m not so sure. But if he does depart, be it on loan or permanently, we absolutely need another option.
As for who could arrive, Newcastle have been watching Toulouse wing-back Dayann Methalie, while Club Brugge star Joel Ordonez is another young defender club scouts have been tracking.
Young Brazilian Rayan Vitor has also been linked, while Porto striker Samu Aghehowa was discussed as an option over the summer, but is surely too expensive to sign as an Osula replacement.
