Keith Downie predicts signing Newcastle will target in January transfer window

We’re not even a third of the way through the season, and the talk about who we should sign in the upcoming January transfer window has already begun.

After the mostly positive summer recruitment, with Nick Woltemade, Malick Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale each impressing with every opportunity given to them, there’s high hopes that the first window with Ross Wilson at the helm as sporting director is even more successful.

We’re fighting on four different fronts this season, with the Champions League going very well, the Premier League less so, and the domestic cups still on our radar: some fresh faces would be perfect in boosting Eddie Howe and the squad’s chances of further silverware.

And after a spate of injuries and and underwhelming performances in one area of the pitch in particular, it looks like our aim for the transfer window has already been set.

Downie backs another striker to arrive

Sky Sports’ Keith Downie backs us to bring in another striker come the new year, to further reduce the already-heavy workload on Nick Woltemade’s shoulders.

Speculation was high over whether or not we would be active in the upcoming window, owing to how much we spent over the summer and how Howe hinting that any incomings wouldn’t be big names.

But speaking on his YouTube channel, Downie believes that not only will we be active come January, but a new option at striker makes the most sense.

Speaking on his Youtube channel about our potential January transfer plans, he said:

“I still think you’ll be active in January.

“I think you’ll bring in another striker. I don’t think you can get by with just Woltemade and Wissa, especially with Wissa’s problems with his knee.

“I think you need a third striker in January, so let’s see what that brings.”

Where would that leave Will?

Of course the issue with bringing in a third striker, likely around the level of Yoane Wissa, would be that it pushes Will Osula further down the totem pole despite the great development he’s had this season.

Recent reports affirmed that we are keen to keep the young Dane despite interest from abroad, even if Eintracht Frankfurt returned with £30m which was initially on the table back on deadline day.

But the youngster needs minutes to develop, and not only will his Premier League minutes dwindle once Wissa is finally fit and ready to play, but a new attacker is the last person Osula needs to be vying for cup minutes with.

If it’s an out-and-out striker we’re getting, then it could be worth loaning Osula out to not only try and recoup some money with a loan fee but also allow him to earn some competitive minutes. But if it’s more of a goalscoring winger, which we are sorely missing at the moment, then Osula still stands a chance of impressing in 2026 and beyond.