With 2023 having just begun, this means that the January transfer window is open so let's take a look at what players could be on their way out and some potential incomings.
It wasn't long into the new year when it was confirmed that we had taken up the option to recall Martin Dúbravka from his loan spell at Manchester United early, having made only two appearances for Erik Ten Haag's side, both coming in the Carabao Cup whilst he looked shaky in a 2-0 win over Burnley in his second appearance. When Nick Pope was signed from Burnley for £10,000,000 in June, there were always going to be questions over who would be first choice goalkeeper but Eddie Howe chose the latter and that choice has certainly paid off so far so Dúbravka will have to fight for his place but judging by the club statement and his Instagram post, it seems like he will spend the rest of the season on Tyneside and provide competition for Pope.
As a result, it looks as though we won't be taking up the option to extend Loris Karius's contract until the end of the season, the German played well in the first half of our 5-0 friendly win over Al-Hilal but our last four competitive games have seen Karl Darlow named on the bench ahead of him. As for Mark Gillespie, he was left out of our 25 man squad after Karius signed so hopefully he will be able to get a move away in January to allow him to get gametime, he would've known he'd be back-up when he was brought in to replace Rob Elliot in 2020 but was probably just happy to be back at his hometown club, twelve years after being released by our academy. Steve Bruce gave him three appearances in the Carabao Cup in his first season with Darlow playing league games in place of the injured Dúbravka but he has made no competitive first team appearances since then and if he doesn't get a move in January, he will almost certainly be released when his contract expires in the summer.
With Emil Krafth potentially unable to play again this season due to the knee injury he picked up against Tranmere Rovers in August, we could probably do with a back-up right-back. We have been linked with West Ham United's Harrison Ashby and Real Valladolid's Ivan Fresneda and neither would have to be registered in the Premier League squad. We were in talks for a move for Ashby on deadline day at the end of the summer window but nothing came off however, he is out of contract in the summer and reportedly rejected a new deal recently, we also reportedly had scouts watching Fresneda play against Real Madrid on Friday and he reportedly has a release clause of around £26,500,000.
Javier Manquillo has only made two competitive appearances so far this season with Kieran Trippier managing to stay fit but in my opinion, he will most likely stay for depth in that position then leave in the summer, especially if Krafth is able to make a return to the side or any January additions do well. With Matt Targett and Paul Dummett injured and Jamal Lewis seemingly not in Howe's plans, Trippier and Manquillo could also cover at left-back if necessary or play there in place of Dan Burn if he's struggling against a pacey right-winger or we're chasing a game. Dummett and Lewis have reportedly been loan listed, a loan move would likely spell the end for Dummett at his boyhood club with his contract expiring in the summer whilst Lewis could make a case for coming back into the side or convince someone to take him off our hands.
The centre of midfield needs strengthening with Jonjo Shelvey's injury problems this season and bringing in someone to play as the holding midfielder would also allow Bruno Guimarães to play further forward. My first choice for that role would be Leicester City's Youri Tielemans, who has been wanting a move away from the King Power Stadium since the summer. The Belgian is also coming to the end of his contract so he won't cost a fortune but Arsenal have also been linked with him, then again, we beat them and Juventus to Guimarães last January despite being in the relegation zone. The Foxes could do with a new goalkeeper with Dan Ward having struggled this season after Kasper Schmeichel was sold to Nice without being replaced so if Dúbravka wanted to be number one at another top flight club, which is easily good enough to be, a swap between him and Tielemans would work well for all parties.
We have also been linked with Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo, Borussia Mönchengladbach's Kouadio Kone, Nice's Khéphren Thuram (three players who wouldn't need to be registered for the Premier League squad), Angers's Azzedine Ounahi, Ajax's Edson Álvarez and Chelsea's Jorginho. We were also linked with Vélez Sarsfield's Máximo Perrone, who also wouldn't need to be registered for the Premier League squad, but he looks likely to join Manchester City.
Ryan Fraser is reportedly looking for a new club. Despite his upturn in form last season when Howe was appointed, the Scotsman has struggled this season and whilst Miguel Almirón has been on fire with nine goals so far this season, I would also say that for all the stick that Jacob Murphy has had this season, especially early on, he has also been better than Fraser this season. Southampton have been linked with a move for him and that would probably suit all parties. Meanwhile, Matt Ritchie has reportedly been loan listed and having only made three competitive appearances so far this season, it would get him off the wage bill with his contract expiring in the summer. Departures for either could allow another attacker to join - a move for Leicester City's James Maddison would be a tough one to complete (plus he is currently injured) but like with Tielemans, we could offer them Dúbravka to help us to sign him, especially with their finances being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
If we can't get Maddison in, other players we've been linked with in that area include Borussia Mönchengladbach's Marcus Thuram and Chelsea's Christian Pulisic. Thuram is out of contract in the summer and unlikely to sign a new deal with the Bundesliga outfit whilst Pulisic was impressive for the USA in the World Cup but has only started seven competitive games for the Blues this season and potential incomings could see them look to move him on. Signing a wide man could also see Joelinton moved back into the midfield.
In terms of strikers, 18 year old Garang Kuol has reportedly been granted a work permit ahead of his move from Central Coast Mariners but will likely go out on loan for the rest of the season. We have reportedly received plenty of loan offers for the Australia international as Howe wants him to get gametime and playing the EFL would help him to adapt to the English game. As much as Chris Wood has struggled since his £25,000,000 move from Burnley last January whilst Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson have had their injury problems, it would be hard to find someone happy to be third choice striker but maybe Kuol could be that next season.
Whilst we have certainly exceeded expectations so far this season, getting additions in will be important to help us to secure European football for next season and with getting ready for the extra games that it would bring, something we failed to prepare adequately for after our 5th place finish in 2012, the only time we qualified for Europe in the Mike Ashley era. Even if we don't finish in the top four and get into the Champions League, I would be over the moon with getting into the Europa League or even Europa Conference League.
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