Newcastle's deadline day - 15 ones to watch ahead of 11pm deadline and two done deals

by Olly Hawkins · 30 August 2024, 06:15

It's hugely frustrating that we've got to deadline day in this predicament, but Newcastle will still be working hard to at least end an underwhelming summer window with something positive.

Here's 15 deals to keep an eye on today, followed by two done deals as two of our U21 talents sealed EFL loan moves yesterday:

1. Marc Guehi - Unless Crystal Palace reduce their demands or Newcastle up their offer, it looks like our top centre-back target will be staying at Selhurst Park. After an injury to Chadi Riad, Palace may need another signing (after Maxence Lacroix) to consider a deadline day sale.

2. James Trafford - It will rely on one of Dubravka or Vlachodimos leaving, but we made a £16m bid for the Burnley stopper earlier in the window. He was left out of Scott Parker's Carabao Cup squad on Wednesday night. A loan with an obligation to buy has been mooted, but time will tell if that's do-able.

3. Miguel Almiron - It may be too late, as it seems a move to Fulham or Saudi Arabia is not longer on the cards, but he's thought to be available for £15m. Selling Miggy is said to be key to our extremely slim hopes of signing a right-winger.

4. Opportunistic loans? - It's widely reported that it may be too late now for the club to pivot from Guehi to a big-money centre-back or top quality right-winger, but if an opportunistic loan deals emerges in either position, the club might just act if it gives Eddie Howe another option that could improve our side.

5. Odysseas Vlachodimos - It's clear the Greek stopper arrived for PSR purposes and isn't in our first-team plans. He's not been in any of our matchdays squads in our opening three games. Anderlecht have been linked with a loan move, but they won't be able to cover his wages in full.

6. Martin Dubravka - He too missed out on our squad at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. The Slovakian has lot his spot in Howe's side now Pope is fit again and his wife recently hinted on Instagram that he's ben 'struggling with work.' Clubs in Germany and Saudi Arabia have been linked.

7. Harrison Ashby - Reports last night suggested he is set to spend the 2024/25 season with Championship side QPR. Another spell in the second tier could make sense after a mixed spell at Swansea last term.

8. Ryan Fraser - Out of contract in 12 months but still on big wages, which may have scuppered any return to Southampton unless we terminate his contract. A potential loan move to the Championship may be one to watch (if we cover most of his wages) if not leaving on a free (if we pay him off).

9. Isaac Hayden - Another player out of Howe's plans that needs to go. Another Championship loan might emerge after recent spells at QPR and Norwich. Preston and Stoke have been linked.

10. Matt Targett - Fit again but on big wages, which makes him tough to shift. He's now our fourth choice left-back option behind Hall, Kelly and Burn, so the 28-year-old may fancy a move to get playing again after 10 months out.

11. Jamal Lewis - Featured over pre-season and has been praised by Howe, but he's available and probably needs to go for the sake of his future. Spent last season on loan at Watford.

12. Garang Kuol - Needs the right loan move after tough stints at Hearts and Volendam. Had an injury over pre-season, but is hopefully fully recovered and in a position to find a suitable move for some much-needed minutes.

13. Alex Murphy - The Irish defender trained with the first-team last season and made his Premier League debut. Has been linked with a potential move to Portsmouth on loan.

14. Miodrag Pivas - The 19-year-old Serbian has been understandably forgotten about since he signed from Jedinstvo earlier in the summer. A loan move to Belgium or the Netherlands has been mooted.

15. Joe White - The Geordie midfielder impressed at Crewe last season and may sign a new deal before going out on loan again. Had a back issue over the summer but may land another EFL loan move today.

DONE DEALS: