Good day everyone,
I hope everyone is looking forward to a Merry Christmas, and you are all keeping well, welcome to CryptoGod-1's blog on all things sports. I decided that with the upcoming January transfer window I would do a write up on what is possibly one of the most interesting topics in English Football currently; who can Newcastle realistically try and buy during the first window under their new Billionaire owners.
Newcastle United's New Owners
Newcastle are currently owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (80%), RB Sports & Media (10%), and PCP Capital Partners (10%). The process of acquiring the club off former owner Mike Ashley began in April 2020, and finally in October 2021, Newcastle were officially the richest club in world football.
The PIF is estimated to have a sovereign wealth of around £315bn and tasked with investing the Saudi Arabian funds raised from the sale of oil. The PIF had to give "legally binding assurances" that the Saudi state would not control the football club, and only once the Premier League received this did they conclude that the takeover was approved.
The PCP was founded in 2005 by Yorkshire-born financier Amanda Staveley. They has been the driving force behind the takeover and will have a seat on the Newcastle board, and were previously involved in the takeover of Man City in 2008.
RB Sports & Media is part of the Reuben Brothers billionaire business empire, a family-owned private equity and property firm. Jamie Reuben will sit as a director of the club and they have many investments in the Newcastle area, including the redevelopment of the former Bank of England site on the city's Pilgrim Street.
Current Squad Weakness
When analysing where to start with improving the squad, many would say in every position they could do with an upgrade. That may be harsh, and also unrealistic, but outside of Wilson, Saint-Maximin, and maybe Almiron, they are a team lacking quality. To be fair, Joelinton has been putting in some decent performances of late and could be another to avoid the immediate chop as the squad is overhauled. Martin Dúbravka has been solid in goal but at 32 in not getting any younger and a reliable man between the posts is always imperative for a team to succeed.
The priority for this window should really be to acquire a full-back, centre-back, holding midfielder and striker. If they can improve their squad in these positions, it should give manager Eddie Howe a realistic chance of remaining in the Premier League. Once they can secure their survival, the summer window could see some real world class talents make their way to Tyneside.
Budget and Realistic Targets
Reports differ on exactly how much Newcastle can, and are willing to spend, but every figure must be taken with a grain of salt as wages and signing on fee's must be accounted for. Also one must consider the impact of spending all their allowance this season and hampering their chance in future windows, thanks to the implications of Financial Fair Play. It is reported they will only spend around £50m Below I had made a list of some rumoured targets, and some spectacular if not likely ones, at least in this window. The window opens and January the 1st, and whether any of these players will make the move remains to be seen, but it certainly makes for interesting times ahead for all Newcastle supporters.
Goalkeeper
Dean Henderson - Manchester United - 24 years old
A man tipped to replace De Gea in the Old Trafford goal, Henderson has grown frustrated at his lack of opportunities of late. A loan move or permenant transfer could work out perfectly for both himself and the club. Half a season of Premier League football would keep Henderson in with a fighting chance of an England call-up, while Newcastle would benefit from his talents between the sticks. With a value of around £20m, it would bmost likely cost more to acquire him but would be a solid English goalkeeper for the club to have.
Defence
Kieran Trippier - Atletico Madrid - 31 years old
Trippier has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League, with Man Utd showing interest last summer. They were put off by the asking price for the 31 year old who helped Atletico win La Liga last season. Spurs have also been rumoured to have interest in bringing him back, and reports of a transfer worth over £25m have emerged. He would be a solid option despite his age, and give Newcastle an attacking threat also. Trippier is versatile, meaning he can play on either the left or right side of the back four, which would certainly benefit the troubled Newcastle defence.
Sven Botman - Lille - 21 years old
The highly sought after defender has attracted interest from Man Utd and Liverpool in the past, and was a key component in helping Lille win Ligue 1 last season. He would provide a solid option at the back and his age means he could be a reliable option for the Newcastle revolution in the years ahead, providing a solid core to build around. The Dutchman is valued around £40m so any move would be costly, and Newcastle will be aware that West Ham and AC Milan have also shown recent interest.
James Tarkowski - Burnley - 29 years old
With his contract ending in June 2022, it seems inevitable Tarkowski will leave Burnley. Will they retain him for the remainder of the season or cash out in January? With West Ham also strongly linked, the Clarets would be looking for around £20m to let him leave. This seems unlikely considering interested teams could sign him for free in the summer. Newcastle need him immediately though to help with their relegation battle, so may be tempted to pay an inflated price to get a significant upgrade on their current centre backs.
Nat Phillips - Liverpool - 24 years old
The Liverpool defender impressed last season as the Reds suffered an injury crisis. He was solid at the back and always willing to put his head on the line to clear the ball. This grit and determination is exactly what Newcastle need, and he could provide a solid option during their relegation battle. A price of around £15 million has been touted to acquire his services, and it is unlikely Liverpool would sanction a loan deal. Burnley are another destination linked for the defender and any move there could pave the path for Tarkowski to join Newcastle.
Midfield
Aaron Ramsey - Juventus - 30 years old
Ramsey has struggled since his move to Italy from Arsenal in 2019. Currently his £230,000 per week wages could be the biggest issue, as his is unlikely to accept lower terms with a contract running until the summer of 2023. Seeing as Juventus got him for free, they are will to let him leave for the same amount, meaning Newcastle could have a very realistic chance if they can convince him the relegation battle will be under control once they get new signings in. Everton are also looking at him as an option for their midfield.
Ross Barkley - Chelsea - 28 years old
After moving to Chelsea in 2018, Barkley has struggled to cement his place in the team. 10 appearances this season seems to have done nothing to convince Tuchel that he is an option for the club. Newcastle would be a good alternative for a player with 18 months on his contract and a loan or permeant deal would provide Barkley with plenty of first team football.
Romain Faivre - Brest - 23 years old
Faivre was very close to signing for AC Milan over the summer but the deal collapsed, and he remained at Brest,. The young Frenchman has continued from last season with great form in front of goal, finding the net six times and laying on five assists for this team-mates. Leeds and Wolves have also shown interest, so a bid around £20m would be required to get his signature.
Attack
Edin Dzeko - Inter Milan - 35 years old
Definitely not one for the future, at 35, Dzeko would be a short-term option to assist in relieving the pressure on Wilson upfront. The former Man City striker is more than capable of grabbing a goal, but his age might prove difficult in the pace of the Premier League. He has managed to score 11 goals so far in his 23 appearances for Inter since signing from Roma on a free transfer last summer. With a low transfer value and fee, this is definitely a deal Newcastle could push over the line. He would provide a good target upfront along with Wilson.
Moussa Dembele - Lyon - 25 years old
The Frenchman has struggled with injuries this season unfortunately, firstly a thigh problem and then a broken right fibula. After spending the second half of last season on loan at Atletico, Dembele should be available for around the £30m touted last season. After successful spell at Celtic where he scored 51 goals in just 94, and then 49 in 114 at Lyon, Dembele would add much needed firepower to the Newcastle attack.
Dusan Vlahovic - Fiorentina - 21 years old
Some reports are saying it will cost above £100m to acquire the services of Vlahovic. Whether he would be interested in the move remains to be see, as Arsenal and a host of other top European clubs have been linked. With 16 goals in 19 matches, he is certainly a top striker, although it should be noted many of these have come from spot kicks. At 1.9m tall the Serbian would add a certain goal threat from crosses and set pieces, and at 21 would certainly be able to provide years of service to the club.
Potential XI
While this is mostly likely unrealistic, if Newcastle managed to acquire some of the above mentioned targets they could have quite the line up during the second half of the 2021/22 season.
442
GK: Dúbravka / Henderson
RB: Lewis
LB: Trippier
CB: Botman
CB: Tarkowski / Phillips
CM: Almiron / Barkley
CM: Ramsey
RW: Joelinton
LW: Saint-Maximin
ST: Vlahovic
ST: Wilson / Dembele
451
GK: Dúbravka / Henderson
RB: Lewis
LB: Trippier
CB: Botman
CB: Tarkowski / Phillips
CM: Almiron / Faivre
CM: Ramsey
AM: Barkley
RW: Joelinton
LW: Saint-Maximin
ST: Vlahovic / Dembele / Wilson
I hope you found some enjoyment in my analysis of Newcastle. It is definitely some interesting times ahead for them. I am certain they will make some interesting acquisitions. Have a wonderful day.
Peace. CryptoGod-1.
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