Truth about January transfer window signings that some Newcastle United fans won’t accept | OneFootball

Newcastle United fans wondering about January transfer window signings.

By close of business on Tuesday (22 January 2025) night, there have so far been no incoming signings into St James’ Park.

Are you expecting (as well as hoping…) that to change?

So far, only four outgoing loan deals, Isaac Hayden to Portsmouth, plus three younger players heading out on temporary moves – Travis Hernes to Aalborg BK, Alex Murphy to Bolton, Charlie McArthur to Carlisle.

Just the 12 days left until the Premier League transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday 3 February.

I notice a fair few Newcastle United fans getting very agitated at the lack of any January transfer window signings so far.

Which I don’t really understand, why these Newcastle United fans don’t/won’t accept the transparent reality.

What I am referring to, is the hope/expectation of Newcastle United making signings that will help improve our chances of success this season.

Whoever is thinking along these lines, is very much off target, in my opinion.

As often is the case, history has the answers.

In January 2022, Newcastle United made a handful of signings. However, Amanda Staveley made clear, this had never been the intention of the owners to buy mid-season, they were forced into it by the situation. With relegation looking almost a formality, we saw Burn, Trippier, Wood and Targett (initial loan) all come in.

Bruno Guimaraes also arrived but that was a case of a brilliant opportunity arising, a quality player with massive further potential, able to be bought for only £35m (plus £6.25m potential future add-ons). Quite clearly, Bruno was bought for the future seasons, not that relegation scrap. Only due to other players unavailable did the midfielder make his first start for Newcastle after more than six weeks at the club, whilst it was April 2022 before he started a match at St James’ Park.

January 2023, Newcastle United ended up buying Anthony Gordon. Once again, this was only due to a surprise opportunity presenting itself, to buy a young player with massive potential at a possibly bargain price of £40m plus £5m potential future add-ons. The previous summer Newcastle had shown interest but Chelsea also bidding for the player at that time, in the end Everton had turned down £60m for Gordon in summer 2022. However, by January 2023 the scouse mackems had suddenly accepted how dangerous their PSR position had become, so were desperate to sell a player who would give them the biggest PSR boost, so homegrown Anthony Gordon was their best chance. It proved too little too late for Everton and getting inside PSR limits BUT the good news was that Newcastle ended up with an absolute bargain.

That was a bargain for the future. Eddie Howe never intended Gordon to be a major player in the second half of that 2022/23 season, he was the proverbial one for the future, only making four Premier League starts that season as Newcastle United finished fourth and got to a cup final (Gordon already cup-tied in the League Cup).

In January 2024, no first team signings at all.

Moving forward to January 2025.

This is where we are at.

There are only three possible reasons why Newcastle United will bring in any major new first team signing.

Forced to – No relegation threat this time but I suppose feasibly you might think that if say Alexander Isak for example was unavailable for the rest of the season, then just maybe an emergency striker signing might be made. However, I don’t think even in those circumstances, Newcastle would sign a striker, even on loan, just to see us through the rest of the season.

Which leaves two other possible reasons, which are linked.

Those are, if a long-term top target becomes available at a good price and/or Newcastle United are worried that if they don’t buy now, a rival club will.

The idea that Newcastle United will spend big money on a signing now, mainly to help with the rest of this 2024/25 season, makes no sense at all to me. It just isn’t going to happen. Unless, as I say, it also happens to be the case that it is a top target surprisingly becoming available at a good price.

Eddie Howe has repeatedly shown that he will give new signings time to adjust to his ways and expectations, especially the physical side of things.

There are only 16 Premier League matches remaining and his current Newcastle United players have just won nine of the last ten games in all competitions. The idea that a new signing would be rushed into the first team is just bizarre.

Even if say, a new signing was made by early next week. Within four weeks (after 26 February when we play away at Liverpool), there will be only 11 PL matches remaining. With next to no chance of any new signing starting many, if any, games before that point.

As for cup matches, like Gordon, pretty much any Premier League player will be cup-tied. For example, Marc Guehi has played in both cups for Palace this season. Any player from overseas would surely be given even longer to adjust if signed this window.