Sandro Tonali’s arrival at Newcastle United final summer season was the start of a brand new period for the membership.
The £55m midfielder was a marquee signing for the Magpies and exemplified their ambitions having simply certified for the Champions League on the finish of final marketing campaign. The Italian made a quick begin to life on Tyneside, however now faces an especially unsure future at St James’ Park.
Tonali is going through a prolonged ban after admitting to inserting bets on matches involving his former membership AC Milan, probably leading to a suspension from soccer of three years. Whereas the midfielder’s ban is prone to be lowered attributable to his cooperation with the Italian FA, his compatriot Nicolo Fagioli has already acquired a seven-month suspension for related offences.
On condition that Tonali may feasibly miss the remainder of Newcastle’s marketing campaign, or a minimum of the vast majority of it, Eddie Howe could have to dip into the switch market to interchange his flagship signing. The 23-year-old’s absence would depart a major void that wants filling and 90min understands that the Magpies are already drawing up a listing of contingency choices.
Here is who they’re keeping track of.
Having struggled for sport time since his arrival at Man Metropolis again in 2022, it seems inevitable that Kalvin Phillips might want to look elsewhere for normal minutes.
The holding midfielder was nonetheless chosen in Gareth Southgate’s England squad regardless of having performed simply 167 minutes this season for his membership and was maybe lucky to not be despatched off when beginning towards Italy in the course of the October worldwide break. Phillips put within the efficiency of a person quick on match sharpness at Wembley and he must get again on the pitch commonly if he hopes to be on the airplane for Euro 2024.
He’s a participant that is very a lot on Newcastle’s radar, with the Magpies within the former Leeds United man previous to his transfer to Man Metropolis. The 27-year-old was linked with a summer season exit seeking first-team soccer however a switch by no means materialised, with each Newcastle and West Ham mooted with an curiosity.
It is understood that Phillips will give himself till Christmas to kickstart his Man Metropolis profession however will possible name quits on his time on the Etihad if he nonetheless cannot discover a place in Pep Guardiola’s beginning lineup.
One other Manchester-based midfielder annoyed along with his lack of first-team soccer is Scott McTominay. Contemporary from a stoppage-time brace towards Brentford for Man Utd, the 26-year-old has solely managed two begins for the Crimson Devils this season and a handful of cameos from the bench.
Eddie Howe appreciates McTominay and the Scotland man is one other identify on the Newcastle supervisor’s shortlist. Nonetheless, it might be tough to persuade the midfielder {that a} transfer away from Outdated Trafford is the best transfer for his profession, with McTominay not angling for an exit himself.
Man Utd rejected a sizeable £30m bid from West Ham for McTominay in the summertime regardless of needing to lift funds, however Erik ten Hag has struggled to discover a area for him in his midfield. If Newcastle have been to make a swoop for the 41-cap worldwide, they’d possible have to supply a larger sum than the Hammers did a number of months in the past.
Regardless of their being a variety of obstacles in the way in which of Newcastle transferring for Andrey Santos, the 19-year-old stays a participant that has intrigued these at St James’ Park. The Magpies tried to carry him to Tyneside previous to his Chelsea transfer, however may revive their curiosity within the Brazilian this January.
Nonetheless, this might be an especially complicated deal. Firstly, Santos is presently on mortgage at Nottingham Forest and, regardless of having not featured for his new membership but, that momentary deal must be terminated to facilitate a Newcastle swap.
Secondly, Newcastle have already got Lewis Corridor on mortgage from Chelsea, that means they must make that deal everlasting as Premier League golf equipment cannot have multiple mortgage participant from the identical group at any given time.
Whereas Corridor will be a part of the Magpies subsequent summer season attributable to an obligation to purchase clause in his mortgage contract, Newcastle must carry that deal ahead in the event that they wish to signal Santos as properly.
Regardless of quite a few studies linking Conor Gallagher with a Stamford Bridge departure in the course of the summer season window, the midfielder caught round at Chelsea. That call has paid dividends for the 23-year-old given he has began each Premier League sport for the Blues this season and change into a agency favorite underneath Mauricio Pochettino.
Nonetheless, his future at Chelsea stays unsure regardless of studies suggesting that the midfielder may signal a brand new contract with the Blues. Newcastle would possibly pounce if contract negotiations break down, with Gallagher deemed a extra sensible switch goal than Santos.
Gallagher actually suits the profile of an Eddie Howe midfielder however may show out of Newcastle’s attain given the numerous position he’s taking part in for Chelsea this season.
Given Ruben Neves solely made his £47m transfer to the Saudi Professional League final summer season, signing the Portuguese midfielder would not be easy or low cost.
Nonetheless, it isn’t out of the realms of chance that the Saudi PIF that owns Newcastle may pull some strings to assist the Magpies out. It could appear unlikely, however stranger issues have occurred in soccer.
Neves say by no means, you can say.
Manu Kone was a sizzling subject over the past switch window, with robust hyperlinks to the Premier League rearing their head all through the summer season. Whereas initially linked with a transfer to Liverpool, the Reds’ curiosity within the 23-year-old is claimed to be lifeless within the water.
Liverpool taking a step again may pave the way in which for Newcastle to take a step ahead of their pursuit of a brand new defensive midfielder, with Kone somebody who has the decision-makers at St James’ Park.
Regardless of extending his deal till 2026 with Borussia Monchengladbach, each membership and participant are open to Kone making a transfer within the January window. In consequence, the highly-rated Frenchman may emerge as a candidate for Howe and his recruitment group.
Age: 22
Membership: OGC Good
Khephren Thuram was one other younger French midfielder linked with the brilliant lights of England over the summer season, with each Liverpool and Newcastle taking a very detailed have a look at the Good participant.
Thuram, the son of legendary right-back Lilian and brother of Inter ahead Marcus, has been recognized as a long-term goal at Newcastle and there is hope he could possibly be out there in January.
There have been transient hyperlinks with Man Utd given Good proprietor Sir Jim Ratcliffe seems set to purchase a minority stake within the membership, however the Magpies nonetheless seem to in direction of the entrance of the Thuram signature queue.
One other midfielder strongly linked with Anfield is Andre of Fluminense. Liverpool wished the 22-year-old in the summertime however the Brazilian membership have been unwilling to promote him as they eyed Copa Libertadores glory – Fluminense have since reached the ultimate towards Boca Juniors.
Nonetheless, Liverpool are the favourites to signal the midfielder in January, whereas Arsenal have additionally proven an curiosity within the teenager after sporting director Edu met up with Fluminense representatives over the worldwide break.
Whereas Newcastle do not discover themselves in a very robust place to carry Andre to St James’ Park, they’d be silly to not contemplate the Fluminense man in January given their present state of affairs. Maybe Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton may put in phrase to their compatriot.
