Newcastle United remains active in the final days of the January transfer window. The club is still seeking to bring in a new defender to strengthen a back line weakened by injuries.
Coach Eddie Howe is looking for solutions to a situation in which Tino Livramento and Fabian Schär are unavailable due to health issues. Options on the market are limited and the club management is trying to find a player suitable for the long term.
According to available reports, Newcastle considered recalling Matt Targett from his loan at Middlesbrough but eventually abandoned this option as it respected the player's wish to complete the season on Teesside.
The club's priority is now a central defender since Schär will be out of action until at least April. Talks have also taken place in Paris and the management believes an agreement could still be reached before the transfer deadline.
The chances of signing a new player are currently seen as balanced. Newcastle has a budget of around twenty to twenty-five million pounds and intends to invest only in a footballer with long-term potential.
Names such as Odilon Kossounou, Honest Ahanor, Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Tiago Gabriel have been mentioned, but none of these players are close to signing yet.
Captain Jamaal Lascelles may leave if he finds a new opportunity, while Joe Willock, Emil Krafth, Kieran Trippier and Will Osula are expected to remain with the team at least until the end of the season.
