Eddie Howe will only move for the right player if Newcastle United are to do business in January.
Newcastle may be flying in third place going into the second half of the season, with European football to push for, but there is not quite the same pressing need to invest as there was a year ago when the Magpies were fighting for their lives in the relegation zone. However, if the right opportunity does present itself, as it did with, say, Bruno Guimaraes, Newcastle are prepared to act as the club continue to monitor a small pool of players.
Given Financial Fair Play restrictions, and Leicester's ardent refusal to sell, it would be a surprise if Newcastle resurrected a move for James Maddison in January after having two big-money bids turned down last summer. Newcastle's longstanding interest in Maddison does at least hint at the profile of player the club are looking at, though, on and off the field. Not only is Maddison a game-changer; the England international would enhance the dressing room rather than disrupt it.
