Fringe men might yet be trimmed from the squad
CHRIS WAUGH LOOKS AT THE PLAYERS WHO COULD STILL BE HEADING FOR THE ST JAMES’ PARK EXIT DOOR THIS MONTH
WE ARE into the final week of the January transfer window – and Newcastle United are still frantically attempting to sign players and also move on some of the fringe members of their squad.
Plenty of Magpies have been linked with moves elsewhere, with Aleksandar Mitrovic, Jonjo Shelvey and Chancel Mbemba in particular attracting interest from clubs at home and abroad.
Rafa Benitez needs to trim down his 25-man Premier League squad, and also reduce the inflated wage bill if possible, so departures appear inevitable.
Here, NUFC Writer Chris Waugh looks at seven players who have been linked with a move away and assesses whether they will leave St James’ Park during the current window...
ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC
THE 23-year-old has not featured in a month-and-a-half due to a back injury – and there is a chance the Serbian may have played his final match for Newcastle.
Mitrovic made clear last month that he was keen to depart Tyneside during this window as he aims to gain form ahead of the World Cup in Russia this summer.
West Bromwich Albion, Anderlecht, Marseille and Bordeaux are among a host of European clubs who have registered an interest in Mitrovic – but Brighton and Hove Albion are the only side to make a substantive offer as yet.
The Seagulls saw a £7million bid rejected by Newcastle earlier in the week – with United citing it as derisory – but Brighton are expected to return with another offer. Newcastle want £15m for Mitrovic, however, and will only countenance selling to a relegation rival for a substantial fee.
It is believed the Magpies would also consider loaning Mitrovic to a European club with a view to buy should they sign a striker before the deadline too.
If Mitrovic is still a Magpie come Sunday, then he may feature so that Newcastle can put him in the shop window.
Alternatively, should progress be made in a move elsewhere, then Mitrovic is unlikely to be risked in the FA Cup to avoid an injury potentially scuppering a deal.
JONJO SHELVEY
REPORTS from the capital continue to stress West Ham United’s ongoing interest in Shelvey, with many suggesting a deal is relatively advanced.
The 25-year-old snubbed Benitez when the Newcastle manager tried to shake the midfielder’s hand after he was substituted against Swansea City earlier this month, but the England international swiftly apologised and their relationship was not damaged by the incident.
Benitez does not want to strengthen a direct relegation rival while weakening his own squad at the same time, as Newcastle would need to sign a midfield replacement if Shelvey departed.
It would therefore take a sizeable offer for the Magpies to even contemplate selling Shelvey this month.
Newcastle do not want to sell Shelvey, who has started all of the Magpies’ games since the turn of the year, this month – and they will resist any attempt from West Ham to prise the midfielder away.
At this stage it appears highly unlikely Shelvey will leave this month – but things can develop quickly during the January window.
CHANCEL MBEMBA
MBEMBA has not played for a month – he has had a slight knee niggle, but has been available for some matches – and the centreback continues to attract interest from clubs across Europe.
West Ham, Celtic and former club Anderlecht have all been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old, who has only started seven Premier League matches all season.
Newcastle are not actively looking to sell the Democratic Republic of Congo international, however, with Benitez short of defensive cover.
Like any other first-team squad member who could leave this month, Mbemba will only depart if a replacement is signed first.
Earlier in the week, Mbemba was spotted at former club Anderlecht’s training ground, sparking rumours he could be heading back to his former club
However, the defender had a couple of days off and had returned to Belgium for a break, where he also decided to do some training.
At this stage, it appears likely Mbemba will still be a Magpie come the end of the January window.
HENRI SAIVET
THE 27-year-old has been on the periphery at Newcastle ever since he joined two years ago, and there is a decent chance that Saivet could depart before Wednesday’s deadline.
Steve McClaren clearly did not fancy the Senegal international, and Benitez has never given the midfielder an extended run in his side either – having sent Saivet on loan to Saint-Etienne last season.
Saivet started the 4-2 victory at West Ham in December, but has not made a Premier League appearance since – but Benitez does like the midfielder, both on a personal and professional level.
However, should a decent offer come in for Saivet, then Newcastle would contemplate selling a fringe player who is on £35,000 a week.
Montpellier and Turkish outfit Sivasspor have registered an interest in Saivet, while reports in Senegal have suggested the midfielder will leave Tyneside this month – whether it be permanently, or on loan.
DWIGHT GAYLE
THE links to Fulham just will not go away.
During the final week of the summer window, the Cottagers submitted an eight-figure bid for the 27-year-old, but Newcastle told them it would take £15m to prise the forward away – and stressed that Gayle would only leave if a replacement could be signed.
But reports in London earlier this month claimed Fulham’s interest in Gayle has not gone away and they could yet return with a £15m offer for the forward.
Gayle netted 23 goals to fire Newcastle to the Championship title last season, but he has just three this term and finds himself fighting with Joselu for a starting berth.
It appears unlikely, however, that both Mitrovic and Gayle would be allowed to depart. If only one new striker arrives, only one of the pair will leave.
Mitrovic is third-choice forward at Newcastle at the moment, he is keen to leave and Benitez would be receptive to letting him go – so Gayle will likely still be a Magpie come next Thursday.
JACK COLBACK
IT’S easy to forget that the 28-year-old is still a Newcastle player.
Well, he is still on the books at St James’ Park anyway – because Benitez has made it quite clear that Colback will not play for the first team again under his watch.
Colback has been training at the Academy with the Under-23s since the summer and Benitez did not contemplate recalling him even when the Magpies suffered an injury crisis in midfield just before Christmas.
The midfielder had the opportunity to join Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hull City during the summer, but opted against making either move.
This month, Sunderland, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Ipswich Town have all been linked with the midfielder, but as of yet their interest has not turned into a full bid.
Newcastle may need to subsidise Colback’s wages if he is to depart on loan, or pay the midfielder off – though ideally he would like to remain in the North East
JAMIE STERRY
THE 22-year-old has been told by Benitez that he is free to find a new club this month, be it permanently or on loan.
It was Benitez who handed the full-back his first-team debut in May 2016, but the only appearance Sterry has made this season was in the League Cup.
Newcastle are actively looking to offload Sterry – and it would come as no surprise if he leaves United during the final days of the window, probably on loan to an EFL club.