Newcastle’s priority in January will be to strengthen the backline. The porous defense has been the primary culprit for the disastrous start to this season, which The Magpies are already almost a third of the way through.
Most reports have Newcastle looking to bring in two center-backs as well as a creative force in the midfield. Though a lot will depend on how we fare in our remaining 8 matches until the window opens.
One area that could be a ticking timebomb is at striker. Callum Wilson is our only reliable source for goals. With Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton deployed on the flanks against Brentford, that may be where Eddie Howe sees the pair going forward.
That would leave just Dwight Gayle as cover for Wilson, who has had his share of injuries since joining Newcastle before the start of last season. It remains to be seen if Howe can get Dwight firing away in front of goal.
However, another Wilson injury could be a lurking disaster in a season where Newcastle cannot afford any more missteps. So a goalscorer could be on the agenda during the winter window.
Sport Witness has cited a report from Portugal’s Record that Newcastle are one of a number of clubs who could make a move for Benfica’s Darwin Nunez (shown above). The Uruguayan international has 8 goals in his 15 appearances this term.
The 22-year-old joined Benfica from second division Spanish club Almeria for a club-record ยฃ21.8m in 2020. He’s since made 55 appearances with an impressive 22 goals and 14 assists.
The 6’2″ striker’s contract runs until 2025 and he has a mammoth release clause close to ยฃ130m. While Benfica don’t want to lose their young star, it could come down to a bidding war with Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Manchester City, and Newcastle all in the mix.
Newcastle, at the moment, don’t have the pulling power of those other clubs. So it will be a challenge to land someone of the caliber of Nunez, or Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.
Though if Howe can keep Newcastle safe this season, we’ll stand a much better chance of landing some of these world-class players in the summer and beyond.
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90 comments so far
Romford mag
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:15 PM
Comment #1First maybe ?
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:23 PM
Comment #2Moonraker,
From previous on the lack of interest from the media on the TO, it’s really quite strange how none of them have even questioned what the PL didn’t want revealed as it’s a massive story.
Jessie
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:23 PM
Comment #3Good afternoon, everyone!
As Ed mentioned in his article this morning, it is indeed Thanksgiving Day here in America. But it is ALSO Ed Harrison’s BIRTHDAY today! I’m sure you will all join me in wishing him a happy birthday. ๐
sparky55
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:26 PM
Comment #4Happy birthday Ed…keep up the great work! clapping hands emoji!
Romford mag
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:28 PM
Comment #5A very happy birthday to Ed , hope it’s a great one for you ๐
Also happy Thanksgiving Jessie and to the rest of our American poster’s ๐
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:30 PM
Comment #6Happy Birthday Ed, cheers for the greatest blog in the world ๐
AnyToon in Indiana
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:32 PM
Comment #7Fleck making the news here stateside as many in other sports here also reporting many issues…
https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/former-pro-calls-investigation-after-another-soccer-player-suddenly-collapses
and from Germany earlier this month…
https://summit.news/2021/11/09/german-newspaper-highlights-unusually-large-number-of-soccer-players-who-have-collapsed-recently/
AnyToon in Indiana
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:34 PM
Comment #8Happy Birthday Ed! Happy Thanksgiving! and Thanks for our home here!
martoon
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:38 PM
Comment #9Happy Birthday Ed and many more of them ๐
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:38 PM
Comment #10https://www.football365.com/news/steve-bruce-offered-to-man-utd-by-his-agent
That would be the best Christmas present I’ve ever had, can you imagine the noise on the 27th ๐
Wor B
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:38 PM
Comment #11Happy birthday Ed
Save me a piece of cake without too much cream please.
๐
Ron Knee
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:39 PM
Comment #12Happy Birthday, Ed!
York Geordie
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:39 PM
Comment #13Happy Bithday Ed.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:39 PM
Comment #14AnyToon in Indiana,
My mate is dropping that programme off tomorrow night, I’ll send it on Saturday morning.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:41 PM
Comment #15Chillwell injured, decisions decisions ๐
martoon
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:41 PM
Comment #16Jail @2 – I can’t believe that no journalist has had the savvy to wonder why the PL suddenly gave up opposition and waved the TO through and thought “lets do some digging”!
niafron
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:43 PM
Comment #17Jessie
We join, we join… Happy birthday Ed!
Mund
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:47 PM
Comment #18Happy Birthday Ed
Big celebration today for you
Have a great one and donโt hold back!
Wor B
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:47 PM
Comment #19Jail
I’ve benched Chilwell, binned Maguire and brought in James.
Going with 433 this week.
AnyToon in Indiana
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:53 PM
Comment #20Thanks again Jail!
Great White Hunter
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:55 PM
Comment #21Happy Birthday Ed, hope you enjoy the day, we all appreciate your effort, commitment and knowledge towards making this a great blog, along with the support of your family. Many thanks to you all. Cheers GWH
Mund
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:55 PM
Comment #22Newcastle United FC
@NUFC
ยท
1m
“There’s a couple of big games coming up for us. Back-to-back wins would be very good and put us right up there.”
#NUFC’s U23s are back in action tomorrow evening as they take on Aston Villa at Whitley Park [kick-off 7pm].
https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/consistency-is-key-says-brookwell-ahead-of-villa-visit/
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 25, 2021 at 2:58 PM
Comment #23Wor B,
I think he’s out for a good while, it might be worth a -4 before he’s sold en masse and his price drops. I don’t know whether to swap him for James or Alonso.
Romford mag
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:02 PM
Comment #24Wor
Get Lascelles in mate !
You know it makes sense ๐
Fenham to Chalfont
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:03 PM
Comment #25Happy Birthday Ed and a happy thanksgiving day to all our brothers and sisters in the USA. Have a good one all ๐
SholaShow
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:10 PM
Comment #26We’ve got Lascelles, Ritchie and Wilson all on 4 yellow cards, one more and they get a 1 match ban.
We REALLY don’t want Wilson getting a ban for the Norwich or Burnley match.
SholaShow
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:13 PM
Comment #27I’d go so far as to contemplate playing ASM as ST this weekend and brining in Almiron on the left-wing.
SholaShow
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:13 PM
Comment #28Oops! Ed’s Birthday is it?
Happy Birthday blogmaster ๐
SuperShearer
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:19 PM
Comment #29Happy Birthday Ed! Hope you have a great day sir, thanks for all you’ve done bringing and keeping this crazy community together.
We love yah!
IrishRob
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:19 PM
Comment #30HB Ed! Have a great day!!
Swablr
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:21 PM
Comment #31‘pologies if this has already been posted, but in case anyone wasn’t aware, the Norwich match is live on Amazon Prime next Tuesday night.
Swablr
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:22 PM
Comment #32P.S. Happy Birthday Ed!!!!
Mund
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:23 PM
Comment #33The Athletic UK
@TheAthleticUK
Manchester United have agreed a deal to appoint Ralf Rangnick as interim manager.
The German is poised to join #MUFC on a six-month contract but wonโt be in charge this weekend vs. Chelsea while he waits for his work permit.
Adamn_92
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:25 PM
Comment #34Manure apparently reached agreement to get Rangnick as interim boss. He could actually do really well there. Damn, was hoping they’d go for Bruce :/
Mister Tuff
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:25 PM
Comment #35Happy birthday Ed have a good day.
SholaShow
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:26 PM
Comment #36Well self-serving Ronaldo might well get dropped then, Ragnick being credited with inventing the high intensity pressing style of play.
niafron
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:26 PM
Comment #37@Mund
They don’t want Garcia? Strange… you know, if he can stay a couple of years in England ( away from a Ligue 1 club ), would be happy to bring him to Manchester myself.
martoon
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:27 PM
Comment #38Mund @33 – Was he one of the names touted for our DOF or am I getting mixed up (there have been so many)?
Romford mag
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:27 PM
Comment #39Swablr
Thanks mate ๐
Mund
Nov 25, 2021 at 3:29 PM
Comment #40Martoon
No mate you are spot on.
Tbh as soon as I heard him say he wanted a shot at management I knew we wouldnโt pull him in as DOF