Newcastle with the team transfer Q&A - Miron leaves OK, Leather team Wilson NO
So far, it has been a peculiar and frustrating transfer window for Newcastle. For the first time since the club was acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment** (PIF), Newcastle have focused their transfer window on players rather than bringing in players due to the need to comply with the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) regulations.
As we enter the final ten days of the January transfer window, TA's Chris Waugh and George Caulkin answer your questions in this special edition of the transfer mailbag.
1.Which position seems to be a priority for reinforcements? - kieran-m
Any good news? For example, a contract or a wounded return? - robert
CW: The priority position is midfielder, Kieran. This has been the case throughout the transfer window, and Joellington's injury has exacerbated the need for a player in this position.
I've discussed this in detail in my article, but Jo Ellington's absence has only shifted the focus from a no.6 to a no.8. What Eddie Howe needs is a BTOB-type midfielder who can win in the middle and is in good physical condition, like Joellington.
In an ideal world, Howe would like to have another attacker and goalkeeper, but there is a growing recognition that Newcastle are unlikely to be able to complete all the deals they want to make given their PSR constraints, with the team's current focus on a midfielder. Of course, Newcastle may not be able to refuse a replacement for a player in one position, or if a long-term target player in another position suddenly appears on the market with a suitable one. If that were the case, the situation could change.
About"Good news", Robert, it depends on your definition. Newcastle's top brass have described the possibility of new signings as a 'coin toss' in recent days, but Howe is struggling to secure new signings. Callum Wilson, Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock should return from injury in the coming weeks.
2.I think we should let Kieran Trippier move to Bayern. Am I crazy? - james e
Can't Newcastle just sell Kieran Trippier, amortise the expenses to bring in players and then put Tino Livramento in place to win for both sides? - chakri r
GC: I don't think you're crazy, James, but I think you're wrong. Admittedly, he has not been in good form in recent weeks (note that he is not alone), but Kieran Trippier is Newcastle's standard-bearer and the player who sets the tone of the team. Off the pitch, he's the foundation of the team, and on the pitch, he's integral to everything that's good in the team. His form may have dropped, but his importance has not.
Chris and I wrote on Sunday that Newcastle insisted they wouldn't be Trippier (and Callum Wilson) this month. After 24 hours, we checked again, and their views still haven't changed. They said:"Definitely not. "The relationship between the top management and the first-team players is very close, and in the best of the best cases, the team would want Kieran Trippier to play for another two or three years.
Newcastle don't want to lose Kieran Trippier in January (Stu Forster Getty Images).
Chakri, one of the problems is that Newcastle don't get a high amount of money. Yes, a decent ** helps relieve their stress on FFP, but that's not the case at the moment. Livramento looks strong and people are hoping that he can be a long-term replacement for Kieran Trippier, but I'm not as optimistic about that as you are. Kieran Strippier remains Newcastle's most important creative**. He is also the leader of the team.
3.How much of the speculation about Trippier's departure is just a title party, and how much is substantive? - chris b
GC: As Rafa Benitez likes to say, Chris,"Football is a lie"。The conflicting agendas have made the transfer window a nightmare for journalists and difficult for fans to discern the truth.
I can tell you a transfer story that I used to figure out a few years ago. I won't name the player, I interviewed his agent and he confirmed that Club X was interested in his client. After that, I spoke to the president of the player's parent club, Club Y, and he told me that the agent was"Lying bastards", just want to get a vote. Next, I interviewed the coach of Club X, who told me that the player's name was on one of the team's target lists. It's just the opposite of what I was told when I was talking to a supervisor at Club X.
I can write multiple versions of the same story, all of which will have some authenticity. So, in the end, I didn't write anything.
Until a transfer is made or failed, the truth of the matter is elusive. The buyer's club and the seller's club have different purposes, while within the club, the players, coaches, and executives may also have different purposes. Sometimes, the more people you come into, the more complicated things become.
At TA, we don't cover any news unless there are two ***s in a message.
Going back to Kieran Trippier, we've already said that Newcastle are adamant they won't ** him, and that's the best ***. Even so, I am reluctant to make up my mind in January, because all of these agendas are uncertain and everything is in flux. If something suddenly happened to Trippier, would that attitude change? Who knows? Honestly, it makes me want to hibernate!
4.Are the rumours of Miguel Almiron's move to Saudi Arabia true? - nick h
Letting Miguel go will lead to a decline in the team's strength, right? I've always thought Miguel is a good player on the team.
If Almiron leaves, will we be looking for a replacement in this window?
GC: My understanding is that Almiron is in a slightly different situation than Trippier and Wilson. With Newcastle's forward line already stretched thin, they can't afford to have a striker without bringing in a replacement, which will be very difficult this month. Kieran Trippier's leadership and value to the team are also crucial.
Almiron's dynamism and pressing ability will also be very important to Eddie Howe's tactical system, but I think they will listen to him, even if the manager is reluctant to let him go.
The key is whether there is a serious **, and whether this ** is good enough - so far, this threshold has not been reached. Someone said to me:"We'll have to wait and see. "That's the answer I heard. It may not be decisive, but among the key players in the team who could potentially leave, I think Almiron is more likely.
5.Do you think the team will loan players from other European teams? Or will Howe's preference for Premier League experienced players make loan more difficult? - janice m
CW: Those who have worked with Howe are convinced that he doesn't have the same preference for English players as he is often accused of, as evidenced by the introduction of Alexander Isak, Sven Botman, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
However, bringing in players with Premier League experience in the middle of the season – whether they are Englishmen or players from other countries – makes sense for managers who don't have much to choose from due to the current injury crisis. Howe wants to bring in players who can play right away, which is part of why interest in Calvin Phillips has cooled, as there have been doubts that the Manchester City midfielder will need some time to reach his best game.
But the problem with bringing in reinforcements from the domestic league is that Newcastle will struggle to find someone willing to deal with them. Howe said earlier this month that Newcastle are not in the market"Any friend"And since they prefer to bring in reinforcements on a loan+buyout basis, allowing them to defer payments until the summer or longer, there are very few clubs willing to do them a favor.
The same is true across Europe. Most clubs just want to see cash right away – and of course, when a club asks Newcastle to buy a player, that's the attitude of Newcastle themselves. What's more, the potential adaptation period for players from other European leagues makes bringing in players from overseas less attractive in the winter window than in the summer window, which is why the team is unlikely to chase Anderson at the moment. But that doesn't mean Newcastle have ruled out bringing in reinforcements from the continent, just slightly less likely.
6.What is the status of Ellington's contract? - robert m
CW: There's no news yet, Robert. Discussions have been held between the two sides, but as far as the situation stands, there is no solution.
Joellington joined the club in 2019 for a club-record £40 million** when he agreed a six-year contract that is now in its final 18 months. The 27-year-old is seen as a key player by Howe, who believes he can play as both an all-round midfielder and a left midfielder. The manager is also keen to keep him.
There is news that the Brazilian's current wage demands will break Newcastle's strict wage structure, and neither side has yet to soften.
Joellington's season is over and his long-term prospects at Newcastle are uncertain (Michael Regan Getty Images).
However, if Ellington's good friend Guimaraes departs this summer as scheduled and the two sides are unable to agree on a new contract, Newcastle will have to look to retain some value. The impasse has also affected Newcastle's business this month, as it is recognised that the replacement for Joellington may not be temporary.
However, it must be emphasised that there is hope for a compromise within the club, and Joellington has not announced his intention to leave.
7.What kind of ** will Newcastle mark for Isak? ewan m
How likely are we to see the big names in the squad leave in this transfer window if someone comes out? - peter a
CW: Earlier this month, when Newcastle unveiled their accounts, team CEO Darren Eales was asked if every player in the PSR system had a **. His answer was simple"That's right"。
ewan, so the answer to you must be in the context of this. Having said that, however, Newcastle have no intention of ** Isak. Unlike Guimaraes, the voice surrounding the team's all-time marker is much clearer: neither Howe nor the hierarchy want to lose the Sweden international, now or in the summer. Instead, their plan is to build the team around the 24-year-old in the coming seasons.
Still, the interest in Isak from other teams is unquestionable, especially now that his performances in the Premier League have been proven, and if a sky-high ** arrives someday in the future – say more than £100 million – then every player has his**. However, it is important to stress that we are not welcoming bids from other clubs.
As for"Big stars"Will leave at this window, Peter, and I won't categorically rule anything out. Newcastle's plan is to retain their key players, as the senior figures made clear at the end of last week, but their PSR situation has forced the club to consider the important **. However, Guimaraes, Wilson, Kierpier, Trippier, Botman, Anthony Gordon and Isak are expected to remain in the squad after the winter window ends.
GC: Just as Newcastle have become good at bringing in signings, they have to be good at being good players (historically, they've been terrible at that). Every big club has a player, that's how it works now. It's just that Newcastle is harder because they have less time and fewer assets, whether they buy them or create them themselves.
As fans, we have reservations about the team's assets because this kind of thing used to happen, but now there is no other way for the club to improve. For example, the team is not trying to get rid of Guimaraes quickly, but believes that by the summer, he may have outpaced the club's development, and letting him leave with a suitable ** could allow the team to take the next step.
8.Are we a little self-inflicted? Are we going to make panic moves at a time when the market is at a high point to sabotage the team's PSR for next year? - graeme l
Is there a thinking that, rather than being passive in the market, we can try to push the rankings as much as possible with the current squad and then make a big splash in the summer window? - dean h
Is it fair to say that the top brass have decided to ditch the season and move to the 2024-25 season? - nigel p
GC: I don't have exact answers to these questions, but I'm asking the same question myself. Is this month any different from January last year and the year before? Yes, in my opinion. Two years ago, Newcastle had to spend heavily on reinforcements in order to avoid relegation. They spent money to bring in Anthony Gordon 12 months ago with the aim of: a) taking advantage of Everton's much-needed funding opportunities; b) Raise your hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
And what is the priority now? The injury situation in the squad is very serious and Howe and his team need reinforcements, but most of our long-term absences will be back soon (hopefully all the best). The team is now ninth in the Premier League and a return to the top four now looks out of reach. So what is the motivation for buying people now, other than strengthening for the sake of strengthening (although this is not a bad thing in itself)? Is it better or worse to qualify for the Europa League or the Europa Conference League than to qualify for any European competition?
Add to that all the messy fiscal policy constraints, given Newcastle's limited room to manoeuvre and the relatively calm transfer market as a whole, perhaps it would be wise to take a breather this month, especially if the players they really want are hard to bring in. I don't think that's the end of the season, but they're not going to fall and they don't have many games after that. There is no need to panic.
What I can tell you is that Newcastle have shown their flexibility since being acquired. They will be adaptable. They have already proven it with Gordon and Isak, who was signed after Wilson was injured (sigh: this is not the first time and not the last). If there's a deal to do, there's enough money, or there's an ingenious way to do it, they'll take action.
9.Will there be as many as 10 changes to our roster this summer? - ben f
Are we seeing the start of the next phase of development, replacing older or average-level players with more high-level players like Isak and Botman? - alan p
CW: Our expectation is that there will be a major overhaul this summer, yes. At least one key player may leave, but the money will be reinvested in the team, and there will be more room for PSR.
With six players including Lloris Karius, Mark Gillespie, Matt Richie, Paul Dammet, Emil Kraft and Jamal Lascelles on their contracts expiring and they likely to leave, the level of the team's fringe players is also likely to improve.
Howe doesn't want to upset the balance and harmony within the team, so the player reserve won't change completely. But as you say,"The next stage of development"It is expected to begin, even if it may take several windows.
10.Is there a risk of homegrown (academy) players being ****ed this summer? - d**id n
CW: I won't use it"There are risks"to describe this kind of thing, d**id. But Newcastle, like all other Premier League clubs, want any player's money to generate maximum profit in their accounts, and the funds of the team's Academy players will be recorded as"Pure profit"。This means that all transfer fees received are counted as profits, which can be very useful in easing the pressure on the PSR side.
Many observers are understandably unhappy with this, as in essence it is almost encouraging the team to ** academy players, but this is the reality and Newcastle themselves are also very likely to sell an academy player in the next transfer window.
Sean Longstaff and Elliott Anderson and Lewis Miley are among those players, although the latter is only 17 years old and Newcastle will offer him a new long-term contract when he turns 18. Howe and Newcastle are ideally in keeping their Academy players, but at some stage they will have to be valuable players in their squad.
11.Why do they show such a feather in a transfer deal? They have already admitted that other clubs don't want to loan players to us, so why don't we take advantage of the relationship with Saudi Arabia? - john h
CW: While Almiron's link with Riyadh Juniors has been watered down, what has happened shows that Newcastle are not averse to offering a pair of players to Saudi Pro League clubs. Leah's youth are not one of the four Pif-owned Saudi clubs, but they are still linked to Newcastle's owners.
Alain Saint-Maximin moved to Jeddah National for more than £20 million this summer, when there was little interest in the French player.
As the Saudi league continues to grow, Saint-Maximin may not be the last Newcastle player to join a Saudi club (Yasser Bakhsh Getty Images).
However, Saudi Pro League clubs have their own agendas, and PIF isn't pouring hundreds of millions into it just to help Newcastle. These clubs don't simply do Newcastle a favor; They will only sign or ** players if it is in their own interest.
All transactions are now subject to a Fair Market Value review at the Premier League level. Newcastle's Saint-Maximin deal has been approved by the Premier League, and any future transfer-in or transfer-out deals involving Saudi Pro League clubs and Newcastle must also be approved.
12.To what extent do you think we should take the FA Cup seriously? - chris p
GC: This is the only trophy Newcastle can still win this season. Not so long ago, I didn't even bother to write this sentence because it's a completely comical concept. But now, Newcastle are a club that wants to win and in time they will win everything.
The game against Fulham is an important game, not only because of that, but also because the FA Cup offers the club the chance to return to European competition and, more simply, Newcastle need to get back into the habit of winning. The players have been rested for a while and they have plenty of time on the training pitch. It's going to be the biggest game of the season for me and I'm 100 per cent confident that Howe will take it seriously. That doesn't mean they're guaranteed to win, but it's still a nice change.