Newcastle set for transfer gamble after 'approach' over £50m deal - Report
Newcastle's ongoing search for a right-winger has to be the longest-running transfer saga since new owners arrived on Tyneside back in October 2021.
It's been known for some time that we need an upgrade on Miguel Almiron and second option to compete with Jacoby Murphy, with a number of names linked in the final months of 2024 and opening weeks of 2025.
We missed out on Michael Olise to Bayern last summer, bid for Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga in August, and have since been linked to the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo, Tyler Dibling and PSV's Johan Bakayoko.
I'm confident a right-winger will sign this year, whether it be this month or (more likely) the summer, but it seems a certain La Liga star won't be arriving on Tyneside.
New name linked but Newcastle say 'no'
Newcastle have reportedly been offered a chance to sign Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo.
This comes from Craig Hope at the Daily Mail, who reports that Newcastle have been approached over the Japanese international's £50m release clause, with the player keen on a move to the Premier League.
However, a deal for the 23-year-old, who has so far managed four goals in La Liga this season, is thought to be a 'non-starter' for Newcastle due to the finances involved.
Hope writes in his Newcastle Confidential column that Newcastle do have respect for the player, who is a former teammate of the in-form Alexander Isak, but reveals that it's looking increasingly likely that Newcastle gamble in light of Miguel Almiron's imminent sale and shelve their pursuit of a right-winger until the summer
A big transfer gamble?
After revealing in the same piece that Almiron is set to join Atlanta United in a £10m deal in the coming days, Hope reports that Newcastle are 'unlikely' to replace the right-winger this month.
A wide man remains a top priority and many will point to the fact fellow winger Harvey Barnes is out for a month with a thigh issue, but it seems Newcastle will take the gamble and keep their powder dry until the summer, where additional funds will be available to recruit a quality right-winger able to elevate our first-team even further.
This is undoubtedly a risk, especially with us competing for a top-four finish and in two domestic cups, but January is a tricky window to sign your top targets at a good price.
The likes of Brentford and Bournemouth will be hugely reluctant to lose star attackers Mbeumo or Semenyo mid-season, either refusing to sell or quoting whopping fees we're unable and unwilling to pay for PSR reasons.
Whoever arrives as our new right-winger has to be the right player; the right character at the right price with high potential to grow under Howe. With that in mind, I'd rather we waited than go early for the wrong player this month, as much as we'd love a shiny new signing.
