Newcastle United prepare for another significant departure before the transfer window shuts this coming Monday. Lee Ryder of Chronicle Live reports that the Magpies expect to finalise a permanent transfer for midfielder Alfie Harrison. He appears set for a move to the Spanish Segunda Division side Málaga.
Newcastle United Prepare for Deadline Day Exit as Alfie Harrison Nears Malaga Switch
This potential sale follows the club’s earlier business. They previously secured nominal fees for Ben Parkinson, who joined Falkirk, and Cathal Heffernan, who completed a permanent switch to Harrogate Town. The hierarchy at St James’ Park has informed Harrison that he remains free to find a new club. Interest from Spain has seemingly moved ahead of earlier links with Birmingham City.
The club have a clear financial reason to go through with this deal now. Harrison has at least six months remaining on his contract. This means Newcastle United can still get a transfer fee for him rather than losing him for nothing in the summer. The Magpies spent a seven-figure sum to sign the Yorkshire-born talent from Manchester City two years ago.
However, the player failed to break into Eddie Howe’s senior plans. The official press release at his arrival cited an undisclosed fee. Unfortunately, that big investment never resulted in any first-team appearances.
Ryder notes that Harrison drew interest from several clubs at home and abroad this winter. This suggests a deal could happen very quickly. Eddie Howe previously hinted at late window activity. He stated that the club would look at the squad’s makeup as they reached the end of January.
Good decision from the Magpies?
The 2025/26 season was a tough wake-up call for Harrison’s hopes on Tyneside. The club dealt with constant injuries that sidelined key senior midfielders. Despite this, the coaching staff regularly passed the Englishman over for Premier League duties. He stayed stuck in Under-21 fixtures in Premier League 2.
Harrison failed to make the bench even once during the Champions League nights. This lack of progress is obvious when you look at how much Newcastle United needed extra bodies in the squad. The player watched from the sidelines while other academy prospects got a look-in with the first team. It showed that he never really proved to the manager that he was ready for the intensity of the top flight.
Selling Harrison is the right move for Newcastle United right now. Getting back some of the original seven-figure cost makes sense for the books. This is especially true with the league’s tight financial rules. Keeping an unhappy player in the reserves doesn’t help the club or the player.
The recruitment team might see his failure to make the first team as a missed opportunity. Even so, the board is doing the right thing by moving on instead of holding onto a deal that isn’t working. Harrison needs regular senior football to get his career back on track. The Magpies need players who can help them right away in their tough domestic and European games. Moving on is the best result for everyone.
