Newcastle United head into the World Cup break sitting third in the Premier League and with a real possibility of upsetting the established order and clinching a top-four finish. With the Premier League resuming days before the January transfer window opens, the attention is turning to who Newcastle may sign to help ensure they finish the season just as strongly as they’ve started.
In the latest episode of The Everything is Black and White Podcast , host Andrew Musgrove, and Newcastle United editor Aaron Stokes, discussed the plans for the winter window with listeners of the show asking various questions about potential arrivals and outgoings.
Q: Where do Newcastle need to strengthen?
It's largely expected Newcastle will make some move in the January transfer window but just where will their priority lie? Musgrove and Stokes had a difference of opinion on what should top the winter transfer list.
AM: "It's got to be a striker for me."
AS: "John Gibson was waxing lyrical about Callum Wilson on the last episode but he also stressed that he doesn't see [Alexander] Isak as a striker nor does he see Chris Wood having a long-term future at the club. I think a back-up striker to Wilson wouldn't go amiss, also maybe a no.10 - also someone who can maybe fill into that Willock role when he isn't playing.
"Maybe also one more defensive asset. Every time Kieran Trippier goes down, my heart is in my mouth - so I think they could do with a backup right-back given that Emil Krafth is on his way to recovery but not quite there yet."
Q: If Newcastle do sign someone in January, who drops out of the current 25-man squad?
Newcastle United currently have a full 25-man squad for the Premier League season which means someone would have to drop out to accommodate any new arrival. The current squad includes goalkeeper Loris Karius who is on a short-term deal as well as Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett.
Ritchie has made one sub appearance in the top flight this season - lasting around 60 seconds, while Dummett has yet to feature. Stokes believes both may be at risk of being cut from the squad. "Who drops out? You're probably looking at the likes of Dummett and Ritchie - these players who aren't getting a look in. Those two are perhaps among the fringe players who might go.
"[It is] Yet to be seen what happens with Loris Karius now that Karl Darlow is back, and Martin Dubravka hasn't really played at Manchester United, so could he come back in January?"
Q: If Newcastle remain in the top 4 come January 1st, do January plans change?
The success Newcastle have enjoyed so far has taken most by surprise. A gradual improvement was expected - a change in a team that saw the club moving away from relegation fodder to perhaps the top 10 was the realistic hope for many. Yet here the Magpies lie in third position with the real possibility of remaining there when the January window opens.
If they do indeed remain in the top four, is there a chance the owners' plans for January change? Will manager Eddie Howe be given more money to spend in the hope of securing Champions League football well ahead of schedule? It's not the first time United have found themselves in this position - back in January 2012 they were just a few points off the top four, then owner Mike Ashley made the decision to move into the market a few months earlier than planned.
Papiss Cisse was the big winter signing and even though he hit the ground running and finished the season with 13 goals in 14 appearances, United missed out on the top four. It was a gamble that didn't pay off - and some would say scarred Ashley from investing big again.
But under new ownership there is ambition - and a plan but will they be tempted to deviate given the club's league position?
"Howe has got a lot of ammunition to go to the board and say 'we need just one or two more and we'll become real contenders," Stokes believes.
"So, I wouldn't be surprised if Howe goes into these talks in a couple of weeks' time and says 'look, we just need to eke out a little bit more to have a memorable season.' I think he's in a very strong bargaining position going into January."
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Q: Who would be your ideal January signing?
In just the two windows United have had, it's clear that they have a plan and a pool of players from who to target. Which in one sense narrows down the potential January arrivals and at the same time leaves any of those names linked - like Bruno Guimaraes was - as a surprise to many.
One they certainly liked in the summer was Leicester City's James Maddison with the club reportedly ready to go back for the midfielder come January but there is a fear that his call-up to the England World Cup squad could see any deal significantly increase in price.
"For me, it would be Maddison," Musgrove noted. "But with the World Cup and if he continues in the form he's shown in the Premier League then there will be a few million more on his price tag.
"To name a striker, it's a little more difficult. It's a hard one to bring in because although I say what Newcastle need is a like-for-like Callum Wilson replacement, I can't actually think of one off the top of my head."
Stokes added: "They're hard to find. The players you maybe think about in the same bracket as Wilson - someone like Ivan Toney but he's going to cost a lot of money for a club that he left for a pittance. Is he also going to want to come and sit on the bench behind Callum Wilson? I don't think so.
"I'm not sure what they will do in January in terms of strikers because we seem to forget that Alexander Isak is coming back. Does Eddie Howe keep trying him as that out-and-out number nine which we don't think he suits or does he move him elsewhere and get in another striker? It will be interesting to see what they do on that front."
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