Bargain basement shopping in the January sales..?
PLENTY OF OPTIONS FOR UNITED EVEN IF THERE’S NOT A LOT OF CASH TO SPEND
IF a takeover is not brokered in time for January, Newcastle United may be left working with a tight budget in the upcoming transfer window.
Amanda Staveley’s group continue to monitor the situation and Mike Ashley is ready to sell, but the ongoing deadlock has left Rafa Benitez uncertain about the scope and scale of his transfer budget for what could be a crucial month.
In a tense post-match press conference on Saturday he repeated three times that he “did not know” what the situation in January would be.
Recruiting on a budget is a possibility and that will require the United boss to use his excellent contacts to unearth hidden gems who might just improve the level of a squad which is full of willing workers but has fewer who are able to make a match-winning impact.
So here are the budget options who might lift United in 2018.
Ben Woodburn (Liverpool)
The forward is just 18 but is a full international for Wales and has rich potential.
He cannot find a way into Liverpool’s five-star attack but has already played firstteam football for the Reds and a loan move in January is being mooted as a way to help his development.
Huddersfield and Sunderland have also been linked with the striker.
It would be a gamble but it is an option which makes sense.
Danny Ings (Liverpool)
Another Reds striker who needs to leave to get games. The former Burnley man was on Newcastle’s radar when he opted for Anfield but injuries have halted his progress at Liverpool. Benitez is understood to be keen on a loan move for Ings (left) and the striker would welcome the opportunity to have first-team minutes. Given his injury record and lack of recent first-team action, it is another gamble - but if United are blessed with huge resources it might be worth taking.
Charly Musonda (Chelsea)
Newcastle attempted to broker a loan move for Blues youngster Kenedy in the summer but it broke down as Antonio Conte wrestled with internal politics at Stamford Bridge.
Musonda was another player considered by Benitez, who was kept abreast of the midfielder’s availability over the summer.
The richly-talented Belgian can play as a central midfielder or on the wing and featured for Real Betis in La Liga last season but has been restricted to League Cup and substitute appearances so far this season.
Complained of a lack of first-team minutes on social media in October and has not featured since – but could be available on loan.
James McCarthy (Everton)
A recurring Benitez target, the Republic of Ireland midfielder remains on the sidelines at Goodison Park.
Last January Newcastle made a loan move for him and were knocked back by Ronald Koeman.
With a new manager who will no doubt be keen to generate transfer funds, the opportunity to sign him may re-emerge.
He will play in Everton’s Europa League dead rubber this week.
Sandro Ramirez (Everton)
Benitez had implored his board to make a move for the Malaga striker in the summer but the Toffees made a move for him as part of an extensive recruitment drive under Koeman.
Yet he played just six times at Goodison Park before falling out of contention and while Sam Allardyce has promised him opportunities to play he may be made available for loan in January.
Benitez might fancy his chances of re-invigorating the former Barcelona striker.
Lazar Markovic (Liverpool)
The 23-year-old winger has not played for the Reds after failing to broker a move away in the summer despite interest from Watford.
His time at Liverpool is surely up and January gives him another opportunity to find a way out – either on loan or on a permanent basis. He also had a steady loan spell with Hull last term but was unable to prevent Marco Silva’s side from relegation.
Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid)
There are 18 months left on Torres’ (below) contract and it is understood that his representatives have made contact with Benitez to tell him he is ready to come back to the Premier League to play regularly after he dropped down the pecking order in Spain.
A loan move might make financial sense. Although Torres has played sparingly this season, Benitez could do with someone who has a bit of know-how in a young squad.
Hatem Ben Arfa (Paris Saint Germain)
Surely not? After stewing in the Paris Saint Germain reserves since the start of the season, Ben Arfa wants a loan move which will give him the chance to play more football. Leicester have been linked with a move and politically it might be a tough one to swing - but Ben Arfa would love to return to St James’ Park. Mo Diame said as much last season and it would certainly be a crowd-pleasing move.
Lewis Holtby (Hamburg)
The midfielder is desperate to leave the Bundesliga side after failing to break into the team and Newcastle were made aware of his availability in the summer.
He is available on a free in the summer but his agent Marcus Noack is pessimistic about his chances of leaving before then.
Noack said: “I am assuming Lewis will fulfil his contract with Hamburg and there are no signs from the club he should leave earlier.
“I am sure the club will need him over the course of the season to bring his qualities to bear.”
If that changes, he would be a cut -price midfield option.
Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
United have made contact with the Red Devils to enquire about a possible loan move for the ex-England full-back.
However, Manchester United have signalled they want big money
Eliaquim Mangala (Manchester City)
Benitez was keen on the French defender, who spent last season at Valencia before returning to Manchester City in the summer.
The 26-year-old has barely featured for the all-conquering Citizens and knows he may be on his way out next month.
United could not afford the £12.5million asking price in the summer.
However, a potential loan move might make more financial sense.
Ben Arfa would love to return to St James’ Park. Mo Diame said as much last season and it would certainly be a crowdpleasing move