If this has been a quieter January for Newcastle United than January 2022, the summer 2023 transfer window may make up for it.
Despite spending £40m on winger Anthony Gordon, much of the focus on Tyneside in the last month has been on the Magpies’ march towards Wembley and their surprise challenge for Champions League qualification.
But having lost Chris Wood and Jonjo Shelvey to Nottingham Forest, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will be acutely aware that his squad lacks depth – particularly in central attacking and midfield options – and intent on addressing that fact this summer.
Who will Howe look to move for come the end of the season? From a powerful, pacy left-back to two goalscoring midfielders and a flying left-back, here are five options who Newcastle will be keeping tabs on ahead of the reopening of the transfer window.
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James Maddison
Maddison has been firmly on Newcastle’s radar for the best part of a year, and has clocked up seven goals and four assists so far this season in a struggling Leicester team.
Last summer, Newcastle reputedly had a £50m bid turned down for the attacking midfielder, but have maintained their interest in a player with 52 goals for since joining them in 2018 and well-respected prowess at set-pieces.
Maddison is player capable of breaking down low-block defences – a rare area of struggle for the Magpies this season. Watch this space . . .
Borna Sosa
Sosa is a forward-thinking left-back who has impressed this season for VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, producing five assists in 12 games, and at World Cup with Croatia.
Dan Burn has done a sterling job at left-back for United this season. But with more and more teams looking to sit in against the Magpies, it makes sense for Howe to seek a more naturally attacking left-back to provide a different tactical option. At 25, Sosa is a good age, but would not break the bank.
Marcus Thuram
While nobody doubts the quality of Howe’s two current strikers, both Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak have question marks over their ability to stay fit.
That fact and Wood’s departure to Forest on a loan likely to turn into a permanent move make it a certainty that Howe will target a striker capable of providing a challenge as well as cover, particularly for Wilson.
At 25, and with his pace, power and excellent recent pedigree, Thuram fits the bill perfectly. The Frenchman has 10 goals in 17 matches in Germany for Borussia Monchengladbach this season and appeared in four of Les Bleus’ matches at the Qatar World Cup.
Although he will be in demand, Thuram might regard Newcastle as an attractive option if they can offer European football in 2023-24.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
An absolute powerhouse in midfield, Lazio star Milinkovic-Savic would be both an expensive and statement signing.
The 6ft 4in Serbian international has established himself as one of Serie A’s top players, scoring 64 goals in 320 games and impressing in roles anywhere in Lazio’s midfield.
Ideally, Howe would have wanted to add a central midfielder in January. But, as with Thuram, being able to offer Milinkovic-Savic the bait of Champions League football could prove decisive in the summer.
Amadou Onana
A bright spark in a dismal season for Everton, Belgian international Onana interested Newcastle before his arrival at Goodison Park last summer, and he remains on Howe’s radar.
Given Everton’s stretched finances, the towering 21-year-old could move on regardless of whether they avoid relegation.
And although Arsenal have been strongly linked with him, the opportunity to team up with Bruno Guimaraes as a guaranteed first-choice in a Newcastle team playing in Europe could prove tempting to the big Belgian, who can play box to box or as a holding midfielder.
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