The 'quiet' Newcastle United transfer window  – what to expect in the final days of January

Our Newcastle United writer Liam Kennedy discusses the potential ins and outs at St James’s Park before the window slams shut on February 1.

Are Newcastle United likely to be active at the end of this window?

The noises from the club are that the close of the January window is expected to be a quiet one. Shifting players from the 25-man Premier League squad has been cited as one issue, so too the financial landscape at United, with the club losing close to £50 million so far due to the impact of the pandemic.

Will that change in the final few days? It might, especially if results continue to slide. United need a boost – and if the manager is safe, and we think he is, then a few loan deals to freshen things up would not go amiss.

Could the potential takeover have an impact on business?

Very unlikely. Any permanent deals would be checked out with the buyers, who wait patiently for progress, as they were in the summer, but loans are unlikely to get the same treatment, if United do any deals at all.

And no takeover will be sorted before February 1, the timeframes look just too tight.

What areas, if any, are they targeting?

Central midfield has been set as a key area to strengthen. Both full-back positions are high on the agenda plus some attacking targets.

Getting players to improve in those departments in the January window is being seen as a tall order.

Should we expect any exits?

It is possible. Emil Krafth is one who could depart while the likes of Dwight Gayle and Jacob Murphy are attracting interest. Both are in the final months of their deals on Tyneside.

DeAndre Yedlin and Christian Atsu are two others who could be shown the door, with only Rolando Aarons making the move this month. He signed for Huddersfield Town on a free transfer earlier in the month.

Andy Carroll is a wanted man but will likely remain.

Bruce must decide whether he sticks with what he has, or rolls the dice to give his squad a kick up the backside.

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