Newcastle United have money to spend this year, and with the new ownership wanting to waste no time in getting the ball rolling, January will be a busy month. On the pitch, Eddie Howe has the task of keeping the club in the Premier League, which is simply a must for the club wanting to make big name signings in the future, while off-field, they must recruit wisely, sensibly and quickly in order to efficiently improve their side while making good use of the money printing machines that have just taken charge of the club, and rumoured £190million available without financial fair play consequence.

So, we have picked out 3 potential signings that could be made in January. One almost guarantee, one possible and one unlikely but yet still not impossible. The names we could have used are endless, however we have tried our utmost to be sensible, realistic and pick out players that will genuinely be on their watchlist.

If you have any other names on your watchlist for Newcastle this January let us know over on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog).

Likely – Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid £10,000,000)

This deal is practically all but done, as Trippier looks to return to England after a few years in Spain, and he will be a huge signing for Newcastle. The Geordie’s defence has been weak to say the least, and Trippier will bring experience, defensive prowess and become a real attacking threat. In signing Trippier, they will be bringing in a player who has had years of Champions League experience, is the current La Liga champion and has played at a high level internationally. He will be the perfect signing to kick start their spending and a big part of their future plans for the next few seasons.

Kieran Trippier will come in at a fairly reasonable price, between 10-15million given that it appears Simeone is done with the player, and the player seems ready to return to the Premier League. Last summer, there were rumblings of a move to many clubs in the Premier League, from Manchester United down to Burnley in terms of potential suitors, however for the last month or so, Trippier has been at the top of the watchlist for Howe. While knowing Newcastle have the money to spend and are wanting the player, it’s unlikely Atletico will spend long bartering and negotiating for the deal, and will likely accept a reasonable offer which Newcastle will give.

In return for the money, Newcastle will gain a versatile full-back/wing-back who is capable of playing both left and right side, can create a midfield 5, a defensive 5 or a traditional 4 at the back. He picked up his only major honour last summer in an impressive run with Atletico in La Liga, and was a key player in the season. He suffered a setback due to off-field issues, however he was a big player for England in the summer and has featured in 17 games for Atletico this season so far. Having played for Burnley and Tottenham in England, he has great experience of the Premier League, and was hugely successful at both clubs, making 61 assists in his time at these clubs.

Possible – Anthony Martial (Manchester United £20,000,000)

Next up, in our less likely but very possible selection is Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, the golden boy signed for £50million with a Balon d’Or clause in his contract, who’s career is freefalling and according to reports at the club is asking for a quick and easy escape as he falls down the pecking order, and although wanting apparently a move elsewhere in Europe, could easily land at Eddie Howe’s feet.

Still only 26, he has had 6 and a half seasons in England, and has in many of those years been Manchester United’s top scorer. However, this current season plagued by injury and being out of favour at the club, he has only made 10 appearances and netted 1 goal, which shows the struggled he is currently feeling at the club. While pushing for a move, Newcastle could swoop in for a real cut-price deal of around £20million, a long way away from the 50 United paid not too long ago.

I am well aware that attack isn’t really where Newcastle need to strengthen urgently, and they have been stung many times with failed striker signings, however bringing in a player who has netted 79 goals for Manchester United and provided 50 assists, he is a proven footballer in England and thus, now looking for an opportunity to be the star man and a first team regular, can be given this talismanic role at Newcastle. Everything on paper looks like a real deal to be made for Eddie Howe, however the sticking point may well be the same issue he has at his current United, and that is playing style. He is quite a passive player, not pressing or making runs unnecessarily, and thus gives an impression of laziness, something that will anger Newcastle fans who have seen many strikers in a similar vein with the same issues before. While, as the main focal point of attacks, he is a gem, creating a team spirit and mentality of scrapping and battling as Newcastle may have to this season won’t suit his style. Therefore, although I wouldn’t be shocked to see the move happen, it’s a ‘on the fence’ move.

Unlikely – Paulo Dybala (Juventus £40,000,000)

Okay, allow me this one, it’s not like I’ve said Mbappe or Haaland or something. Right, so Dybala has been inches away from leaving Juventus in the past and joining the Premier League, and valued between £40-50million, would be a huge chunk of the rumoured budget for the club to spend, however in a statement move this could be the one. So, with money being no issue, the only concern may be that Dybala is now the star man at Juventus where in the past he has been forced to play second fiddle to others. However, if Newcastle want a talisman, this would be the guy, and he looks good in black and white stripes as a bonus.

Having won everything bar the Champions League with Juve, he may be convinced by the Newcastle project, as they genuinely seem more likely to win the big one than Juventus in the last year or so, and at only 28 he could feature for at least 5 years and be a hero to the club.

In return for splashing the cash, they will have a player who can, and has played every attacking role possible, from the central striker, to attacking midfielder and has the stats to back it up. With 108 goals and 46 assists from his 271 games at Juventus, he is a huge talent and could easily bag 20+ goals a season. Not the usual signing for a relegation candidate, however this is no usual situation.