Toon set for Saudi U-turn? - The options Newcastle could explore after January setbacks

Newcastle face a potential midfield crisis as reports suggest Joelinton could require season-ending surgery and the club are refusing to meet Man City's excessive demands for Kalvin Phillips.

It adds to a lengthy list of absentees in the middle of the pitch for the Toon with Willock and Anderson both out injured and Tonali suspended while Bruno faces a two-game ban if he picks up another yellow card.

Club CEO Darren Eales recently said that there was “no intention as things stand” to look to clubs in Saudi Arabia for loan deals. But, with Eddie Howe stating that few clubs are “willing to help us currently”, and with the injury of midfield enforcer Joelinton, it is clear that Newcastle do not stand in the same position we did only last week when Eales made those comments.

NUFCBlog ask if it is time to look to the Saudi Pro League for short term loan deals. Many players in the SPL have been touted as Toon targets before their moves to the Middle East.

Seko Fofana

The 28-year-old Ivorian midfielder has played 14 games for Al-Nassr this season, but was reportedly on Newcastle scouts’ radar when playing at Lens in France. In his last full season in Ligue 1 he averaged over 87% passes completed. He spent time in Man City’s academy and was likened to Yaya Toure.

Gabri Veiga

The Spanish midfielder sparked debate when he decided to move to Saudi Arabia in the summer as rumours swirled of interest from Barcelona, Dortmund, and Newcastle. Veiga has five goals and three assists for Al-Ahli this season. He’s also young and energetic – the 21-year-old averages over three progressive carries per match so would slot nicely into the role that Willock has played in the ‘8’ role.

Marcelo Brozovic

The 31-year-old Croatian midfielder was linked with Newcastle in the summer when his contract expired, but he joined Al-Nassr linking up with Seko Fofana in midfield. He has a pass completion average of over 88% this season and attempts over 75 passes per match on average. Compared to Bruno Guimaraes, these are both higher than the Brazilian’s 84.6% pass completion and 59.4 passes per match. Brozovic also plays as a ‘6’ so would be an ideal move for Howe.

Sergei Milinkovic-Savic

With seven goals and four assists for Al-Hilal this season, the Serbian midfielder has had a storming start to life in the SPL. When comparing players, Opta ranks the player most similar to Milinkovic-Savic as Joelinton. While the Serbian creates fewer shot-creating actions than average, he ranks highly for aerial battles won and would add some steel to the Mags’ midfield.

However, as Howe is known to appreciate Premier League experience when recruiting for his squad, there are some other options to choose from, if open to a move.

Fabinho

The Premier League winner moved to Al-Ittihad in the summer where he plays alongside N’Golo Kante. He ranks highly in Opta’s stats for pass completion with 89%. He is also versatile having played in defencegab on several occasions in his career.

Georginio Wijnaldum

A name that Newcastle fans will know well. Could a return to St James’ Park for Gini be a good move to address our squad depth issues? Wijnaldum also won the league with Liverpool after leaving the North East for the North West. He has five goals and two assists for Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq this season.

Jordan Henderson

It was suggested that Henderson’s agents touted the Sunderland-born 33-year-old as a possible signing for Newcastle this January after reports indicated he was unhappy in Saudi Arabia. Could the lifelong Black Cat don the black and white of the Toon? It would probably be the very last resort for both player and club.