Here's what to expect from Newcastle United on deadline day

Some things never change. It’s deadline day, and Newcastle United are looking to find clubs for Achraf Lazaar, Rolando Aarons and Henri Saivet.
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The club isn’t expected to do any incoming business – head coach Steve Bruce made it clear the club was all but done in the market after the international window closed earlier this month – but it’s looking to move a number of players out before the 5pm deadline.

Christian Atsu, signed by Rafa Benitez, initially on loan, four years ago, is also available for transfer in the final hours of the window, though it looks like DeAndre Yedlin will stay on Tyneside.

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Atsu, like Lazaar, Aarons and Saivet, is in the final year of his contract at St James’s Park.

Steve Bruce.Steve Bruce.
Steve Bruce.

Bruce has spoken to them all about the importance of getting out and playing games, but any deals will have to make financial sense to the players themselves.

Lazaar and Saivet are on big contracts, and aren’t selling them hasn’t been possible up to now. The club will have to take a financial hit just to loan them out.

Aarons, meanwhile, could move to Huddersfield Town on a permanent deal, while Atsu has been interesting Watford.

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The club, which this week loaned midfielder Jack Young to Tranmere Rovers, could also farm out one or more young players.

Achraf Lazaar.Achraf Lazaar.
Achraf Lazaar.

As far as incoming transfers, United did their business early. The club signed four players – Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser, Jamal Lewis and Mark Gillespie – long before the first of the two transfer deadlines.

That said, the squad looks short of a striker and a defender. Fans, understandably, are concerned at a lack of cover for Wilson, while Bruce has been short at the back because of injuries.

Bruce was left looking at the loan market after a spend of around £35million, there just weren’t the players out there to strengthen those positions.

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Mikel Arteta blocked a proposed move for defender Rob Holding, and Newcastle are now seemingly looking towards the January window.

That was a setback, but United should have enough between now and January – if the club is spared injuries to key players at each end of the pitch.

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