Sky Sports: Six Newcastle players face uncertain future and five positions targeted
The January transfer window is officially open, handing Newcastle United a chance to hand Eddie Howe a mid-season boost in our pursuit of a top-four finish.
It promises to be a tricky month, with PSR an ongoing obstacle once again, but you'd like to think we'll do our best to strengthen after failing to upgrade areas of our first team in 2024.
Sky Sports have released a piece covering all 20 Premier League clubs heading into January, which features their information on what we should be looking out for - both in and out - at Newcastle United this month.
Six face uncertain future and loan cut short
According to Sky Sports, Newcastle must sell to sign this month and have six players facing uncertain futures in Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff, Martin Dubravka and Isaac Hayden.
We know that Miguel Almiron is up for sale and the most likely senior player to depart, but we have decisions to make on Trippier and Longstaff - two players approaching the final 12 months of their contract at the club - and know January may be our last chance to receive a fee for Wilson, who has just six months left on his deal.
On the subject of contracts, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie are all out of contract on June 30th, as things stand, meaning they are free to speak with foreign clubs over pre-contract agreements.
It's thought Schar and Krafth are on course to sign extensions, but there's work to be done on that front with a host of players on course to leave on free transfers if no action is taken.
Jamal Lewis is also on course to return earlier than expected, with Sky revealing that his season-long loan spell with Brazilian giants Sao Paulo will be cut short.
Five positions targeted
Sky Sports also report on potential incomings and reveal five positions we are looking to strengthen in 2025; right-wing, centre-back, goalkeeper, right-back and central midfield.
As expected, they believe a right-winger is the priority in January and state that we've joined Liverpool in taking a closee look at Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. Either would be excellent, but recent reports have suggested the pair may be beyond our budget this month.
Marc Guehi remains an option, although a January deal looks unlikely, with the same thought to be true regarding James Trafford as Burnley push for an immediate return to the Premier League.
The arrival of another midfielder and right-back may be low down the priority list, but with Longstaff and Trippier tipped to depart in 2025, we may be scouring the market for suitable replacements when the time comes.
