Newcastle United may be looking to prioritise the signing of a winger in the upcoming January transfer window.
That is according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the latest news from St. James’ Park.
Despite welcoming five new additions to the squad so far this season, Eddie Howe’s side were unable to add a winger to the squad in the summer, potentially meaning the club will target one in January.
Furthermore, the squad’s weakness in the area has further been heightened by a hamstring injury to Allan Saint-Maximin, with the side looking particularly ineffective in attacking wide areas in his absence.
And O’Rourke believes that despite the club’s good work in the previous two transfer windows, they still need to prioritise the signing of a wide man in January.
He said: “Newcastle have done good work in the last couple of transfer windows to improve the squad for Eddie Howe.
“I still think a winger is a priority for Newcastle. They tried to do one in the summer window, but were not able to sign the right man that they wanted.”
TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments…
It seems particularly obvious that Howe is now desperate for more attacking options out wide, with his side scoring just eight goals in seven Premier League games so far this season.
Matt Ritchie, Miguel Almirón, Saint-Maximin, Ryan Fraser, Jacob Murphy, and Alexander Isak are all capable of playing in wide positions for the Magpies, but after Saint-Maximin and Isak, there is a stark drop-off in quality and consistency.
Therefore, we agree with O’Rourke and believe Newcastle should be targeting a winger this January, with the club potentially revisiting a deal for the summer’s failed transfer target in Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.