Newcastle’s January transfer plans exposed, hoping for one major deal of a World Class player.

Newcastle’s January transfer plans exposed, hoping for one major deal. Newcastle United are preparing

for a potentially busy January transfer window, but fans looking for both a right-winger and a center-back may be disappointed. According to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, the club is likely to prioritize one position over another, with current indications pointing to a right-winger as the main priority, if only for PSR purposes. When asked about the potential of signing both Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and a right-winger, Waugh was straightforward in his most recent Q&A session. “The short answer is,” Waugh wrote, “almost certainly not.” Newcastle’s transfer budget, reported to be between £60 million and £70 million, may not allow for many high-profile acquisitions due to the club’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which could need sales to balance any significant purchases. Waugh noted that while Newcastle’s recruitment team is actively scouting players other than the long-sought Guehi and Anthony Elanga, the club will only make long-term commercial decisions. “Newcastle will not make signings for the sake of it,” Waugh said in an email. The insider also stated that, despite summer interest in Guehi, the impending return of Sven Botman before Christmas makes a center-back less of an immediate priority. Instead, there appears to be a concentration on strengthening the right wing. “Newcastle have not strengthened there since the 2021 takeover and it is now having a detrimental effect,” Waugh said in an email. While Nottingham Forest’s Elanga remains a goal, Waugh said Newcastle is also looking at other wingers in Europe. Finally, it appears that Newcastle will try to right the wrongs of an unsuccessful summer transfer window by strengthening in one important area during the January window, albeit it is uncertain how large the splash will be and which position(s) would be improved. Let’s hope the lads don’t bring another goalie.