It feels somewhat greedy to revisit the sole disappointment of a January transfer window which has transformed Newcastle United. The Magpies shrugged off the frugal tag of the Mike Ashley era to splash in excess of £90m and become Europe's biggest spenders.
Five signings arrived in a chaotic month and combined with a marked improvement from the current squad, Eddie Howe's side have embarked on an eight-match unbeaten run to move clear of the relegation zone. All five signings bar Bruno Guimaraes - who is seen as a playmaker who can progress through every phase of the owners' ambitious rebuild - have immediately improved the starting eleven.
Newcastle failed in well-documented pursuits of Sven Botman and Diego Carlos, but Dan Burn has so far proven an astute buy. The only genuine disappointment from the first transfer window of the new era came on deadline day.
The Magpies had been linked with Hugo Ekitike earlier in the month, but reached an agreement for the Stade de Reims wonderkid on the final day. United agreed a package worth in the region of £34m for the French teenage forward following a sensational breakthrough season.
However, within hours came the news that Ektike had turned down Newcastle's approach. The forward's agent would later reveal the 19-year-old was unconvinced by the short and medium-term project at St James' Park.
Chris Wood had already signed as an immediate replacement for the injured Callum Wilson, but it left the club scrambling for another attacker in the closing hours. Interest in Jesse Lingard was revived, but Newcastle were unable to breach an impasse with Manchester United over an exorbitant loan fee.
Howe was understood to be keen to bring in a young striker, with Joelinton's rebirth highlighting a lack of forward options. Wood has delivered as a focal point despite his goals, but forgotten man Dwight Gayle remains the only senior alternative at the head coach's disposal.
It is an area which will almost certainly be revisited in the summer transfer window in the event of Premier League survival, with recent interest emerging in Belgian prospect Jeremy Doku. But in Thursday night's encounter at Southampton, the Magpies could be given a reminder of this transfer priority by one of the Saints' star performers.
Armando Broja has enjoyed a memorable debut Premier League season so far, netting six times in 23 top-flight appearances and impressing with his all-round play. The Chelsea loanee has outperformed fellow summer recruit and former Newcastle prospect Adam Armstrong, and as a result is the subject of inevitable transfer speculation.
Roman Abramovich's proposed sale of the Blues has led some reports to identify Broja as one of several assets who could potentially be sold to form a summer transfer budget. The Albania international would likely find first-team chances at Stamford Bridge tough to come by next season, despite Romelu Lukaku's mixed form upon his return.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has already outlined his intention to keep Broja at the club for a second season, whether it be another loan or a permanent deal. The Saints boss warned the young striker and his agent last month of the potential perils of pushing for a move elsewhere.
Hasenhuttl told HampshireLive: “He knows how important it is for him as a player to play continuously. Here he gets that chance and has shown he fits to us and our shape
“There are a lot of examples where players, after changing clubs, do not perform like they have done with us. It is important he knows this and that his agent knows this."
Broja was one of dozens of players linked with a January switch to Newcastle, although nothing concrete emerged from these reports. The latest headlines have credited Arsenal among those interested with the futures of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah in doubt.
Interest in Doku and Ekitike suggests the Magpies are in the market for a wide forward, although Wilson's injury record could necessitate a summer move for another centre-forward. Broja may not be the man but he otherwise fits the profile for a young forward with the added bonus of Premier League experience.
Southampton suffered a four-goal thrashing in their last outing at Aston Villa, but in-form Newcastle still face the prospect of becoming the first side to win at St Mary's since September. To do so they will likely have to contain Broja, and another impressive display from the 20-year-old could serve as a reminder for Howe's summer shortlist.
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