Newcastle United were still the fifth biggest spenders in the Premier League despite a more reserved January window than some expected. Dan Ashworth and Eddie Howe had both warned the club could not afford to repeat the previous spree in excess of £90 million which helped the Magpies ease to survival before providing the platform for an unlikely top-four push this term.
Long-term targets Harrison Ashby and Anthony Gordon were both eventually secured with an outlay of up to £48m. Much like with the summer capture of Sven Botman, Newcastle again proved they are prepared to wait for the right targets to become available.
In the end, it proved to be a more frantic conclusion to the window than perhaps many on Tyneside anticipated. Howe got his wish for a 'ready to play' versatile replacement for Chris Wood, but the surprise deadline-day exit for Jonjo Shelvey did not lead to the arrival of another midfielder.
