Hamza Choudhury, Jetro Willems & more – the January transfer window deals Newcastle United could strike

Having looked like they were struggling to do business, Newcastle United look like they’re ready to dive into the January transfer window, in a bid to arrest their Premier League decline.
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But what deals are likely, and who might leave? Here’s a transfer window Q&A with our Newcastle United writer Liam Kennedy – and he addresses Steve Bruce’s desperate need to freshen things up.

Will United be active in the final few days of the window?

The window closes on Monday, February 1 at 11pm – and I’d be surprised if there isn’t at least one in and one out between now and then.

Leicester City's Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans (R) is substituted by Leicester City's English midfielder Hamza Choudhury during the UEFA Europa League 1st round Group G football match between Leicester City and Zorya Luhansk at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on October 22, 2020.Leicester City's Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans (R) is substituted by Leicester City's English midfielder Hamza Choudhury during the UEFA Europa League 1st round Group G football match between Leicester City and Zorya Luhansk at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on October 22, 2020.
Leicester City's Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans (R) is substituted by Leicester City's English midfielder Hamza Choudhury during the UEFA Europa League 1st round Group G football match between Leicester City and Zorya Luhansk at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on October 22, 2020.
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United had looked like they were struggling to shift players from their squad – and they need to in order to free up space in the 25-man Premier League list, as well as opening up some wriggle room in the wage budget.

What’s changed the club’s approach?

The situation. Plain and simple.

There was always a want to improve their lot but the financial challenges of COVID and the inability to move players on, which hamstrung them in the final few weeks of the summer window, seemed to be hurdles that could not be overcome.

But with an acceptance at the top that things must change – see Graeme Jones being dropped on to Bruce’s lap as a sign of that – it seems United will look to move one or two players on, maybe ones Bruce would want to hang on to in an ideal world, but have takers and can be shifted quickly, allowing for fresh faces.

Who is likely to leave United?

Matt Ritchie is the most likely. Bournemouth want him, and the player is happy to return. Cash, as was the case in the summer, remains the sticking point. So too does the length of contract, if the deal, as expected, will turn out to be a permanent one.

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It has even been suggested the player could head down to speak to Jason Tindall & Co on Friday. It will be interesting to see if Ritchie is in the United squad for the trip to Everton on Saturday lunchtime.

DeAndre Yedlin is another player who could depart, with just a few months left on his deal. Reports suggest Galatasaray have agreed a deal with the USA international for the summer, and may well bring that forward a few months.

Emil Krafth is, surprisingly, a wanted man, while all is not right with Dwight Gayle at United with the player wanting to remain at St James’s Park beyond the end of the season, but not unless he is given increased gametime. Bruce has been pushing to get the striker an extension.

Anyone likely to come in?

If the decks can be cleared a touch then probably.

Hamza Choudhury is a player the club denied any interest in earlier in the window, when quizzed by the Gazette, but it appears that deal is something Bruce is keen to get over the line.

A loan deal is thought to be close.

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United retain an interest in Jetro Willems as well as Brandon Williams and Jesse Lingard at Manchester United.

Josh King is a player constantly mentioned but unless there has been a remarkable change in budget this month on Tyneside that deal remains unlikely.

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