Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe continues to downplay the upcoming January transfer window.
“Maybe not January 1, maybe late December,” Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said earlier this month. What was the question that elicited such a response? ‘When would he start thinking about transfers for next month?’
Never one to be drawn into a topic like transfers, Howe dismissed speculation about possible January moves when speaking to the media ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea. “We’re still miles away from that,” he said on Monday. If history is to repeat itself, this will be a recurring theme in the coming weeks.
While the Newcastle manager will continue to play down his plans for the winter window in public, behind-the-scenes plans will have been drawn up well in advance as Dan Ashworth seeks the next transfer gem willing to ply his trade at St James’ Park.
Other clubs appear to be making moves that could have a significant impact on Newcastle’s business. For example, only a few hours away, Manchester City is deciding what to do with Kalvin Phillips when the winter transfer window opens.
Pep Guardiola has publicly apologized to Phillips for the way the midfielder’s City career has been handled thus far. Days later, the former Leeds man scored from the penalty spot in the Champions League, prompting speculation as to whether that would be the last time City fans saw him in a sky blue shirt.
Phillips has been linked with a move to Tyneside in recent months, with Sandro Tonali’s lengthy suspension only increasing calls for the 28-year-old to be brought in on loan. Juventus, on the other hand, has expressed an interest in signing him.
“Kalvin is a player for us; I don’t want to predict anything.” “Everyone is aware of his situation,” Guardiola said just last week. Howe had previously denied claims that a transfer for Phillips was a “done deal.”
In light of recent injuries to Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak, some fans have called for the addition of a third out and out striker to provide more cover in attacking areas. Naturally, Stuttgart forward Serhou Guirassy has been linked with the Magpies after scoring 16 goals in 13 Bundesliga games.
So much so that the club’s sporting director, Fabian Wohlgemuth, has made a public plea to the Guinea forward to stay put. “We are doing everything that is in our hands, and it will certainly not fail because of us,” he went on to say.
“He understands how much his fans adore him.” He understands how much the team relies on him. And he senses that everyone wants him to stay with us. He’s a very nice guy, and that doesn’t bother him.”
Howe will almost certainly continue to insist that time is on his side, but there are still some unanswered questions before the winter window opens. Despite Sven Botman’s return, does Newcastle require additional defensive reinforcements at center-back? Is short-term cover required not only for Tonali but also for Nick Pope? With three competitions potentially on the horizon at the start of 2023, can the north east outfit find an upgrade on their current XI?
The clock is ticking. Fortunately, despite Howe’s evasion, you suspect Ashworth and his team have been hard at work for several weeks, if not months, preparing for a hectic start to 2024.
