Newcastle United have so far kept their powder dry in January as Premier League clubs around them spend at will. However, the Magpies' ownership are in the perfect place with just a matter days left in the winter window.
Any imminent incomings need the approval of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, which owns 80 per cent of Newcastle, before they can be brought into the club and thankfully minority owners Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and CEO Darren Eales have all flown out to the Middle East with a matter of days remaining in the window.
Ghodoussi shared a snap with his 118,000 Twitter followers to show the trio at a racetrack in Riyadh with the caption: "Quick pitstop." The photograph got pulses race back on Tyneside, with many believing it was a positive sign for incoming business.
READ MORE: Newcastle fear cheeky moment may just give fuming Southampton extra motivation at St James' Park
The unexpected exit of Chris Wood has added even more pressure on Newcastle chiefs to try and secure reinforcements before Tuesday's transfer deadline. “We are hopefully planning to replace him," Howe said last week.
"Certainly from my side there was no thought of letting a player go and not replacing him. That would leave us dangerously short but there’s no guarantees so that’s the position we are in.”
The club are actively working to try and sign Everton wantaway Anthony Gordon and have also been on the hunt for another midfielder in recent weeks, though Gordon remains the most likely addition this month. The Toffees flyer has missed three days of training this week but finally reported back to Finch Farm on Friday as Everton prepare to appoint former Burnley boss Sean Dyche as the new Goodison Park boss.
Newcastle spent big this time 12 months ago and again opened the chequebook in the summer. However, PIF felt this window didn't require the same outlay given where the club find themselves in the table.
READ NEXT
Anthony Gordon has already passed unseen Newcastle test and his forgotten Eddie Howe exchange
Newcastle will be affected by new FFP change triggered by Chelsea but club have different policy
Newcastle search for new 'elite' addition who will attend transfer summits before busy window
Win a £500 Voucher in our Star of Qatar World Cup January transfer window competition
Newcastle show they are not 'nice guys' and do what Eddie Howe wanted as Southampton fume
Southampton blown away by size of Newcastle as Nathan Jones tells them they have found the best
