The January transfer market provides every club with the opportunity to address their biggest issues – a saving grace if you may, but without a clear idea of which player to sign and a lack of funds often makes the entire window a fruitless affair. Newcastle’s transfer window has been less than impressive with just one signing made so far and the possibility of signing a striker diminishing by the day.
With a season of highs and lows, Newcastle have stayed clear of the relegation zone in recent times but not impressive enough to put the worry completely on the backboard. They are coming off a 3-1 loss to Manchester City at Etihad and Benitez’s men got completely outclassed offensively – expected against the league leaders but the 1-1 draw to Swansea City in the previous weekend somehow exposed the lack of motivation amongst the Newcastle ranks.
The Spaniard has done an impressive job to provide the team with some structure but a lack of precision from the attacking third seems to be costing them crucial points.
Now that the final stages of the current campaign have already started the last few days of the window should be treated aggressively to make a signing. Clubs have pulled off remarkable transfers on deadline days but only with the support of the club ownership. Magpies owner, Mike Ashley is yet to put his money where his mouth is. He has previously stated that proper funds would have been provided to the former Chelsea manager, but none has shown up till now.
The entire Amanda Staveley and PCP Group takeover saga ended last week when Ashley rejected their bid. Maybe a second offer is on the table but how will the future owners fare? Presumably much better judging by the £100m transfer budget they were ready to offer.
Nevertheless, with the resources that the Magpies do have a few players can be offloaded to make way for the new.
The Aleksandar Mitrovic transfer ordeal has exhausted both the player and club officials. With 23 loan offers rejected, Benitez will only settle for a transfer. Maybe a compromise can be made in a loan move with a buy-back option.
Jack Colback is no longer even considered for selection into the squad and his lofty wages are burning a huge hole in the club’s pockets. Chancel Mbemba has not played for a month now and at just 23 years of age, he can fetch a high value.
With Kennedy now arriving as a good option on the left-back, Benitez will have to disburse all his energy on either Islam Slimani or Nicolai Jørgensen. With a regular goalscorer, maybe they will be able to scrape past the bottom three and ready to spend another season in the top flight.
