With the 2023 January transfer window now open, we round up Newcastle’s done deals, plus the players linked with moves in and out of St James’ Park.
Howe: No truth in Ronaldo rumours
Eddie Howe has quashed suggestions Newcastle have a clause allowing them to potentially sign Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is rumoured to have a ‘Newcastle clause’ after signing for Al-Nassr, with reports suggesting he could join Howe’s side should they qualify for the Champions League.
But Howe rubbished the rumours ahead of Newcastle’s meeting with Arsenal. He said: “We wish Cristiano all the best in his new venture but there’s no truth in that from our perspective.”
Newcastle eyeing up Real Vallodolid youngster Fresneda
Newcastle are interested in signing right-back Ivan Fresneda from LaLiga side Real Valladolid.
Magpies officials have watched the 18-year-old several times, including against his former team Real Madrid on Friday.
Spaniard Fresneda is not the only right-back Newcastle are looking at but fits the profile of player they want to sign.
Fresnada – who has made seven appearances for Valladolid and is under contract until 2025 – is also being monitored by European giants Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.
Newcastle recall Dubravka from Man Utd loan
Martin Dubravka has been recalled from his season-long loan spell with Manchester United.
The Slovakia international goalkeeper joined the Red Devils on a temporary basis in September and made two appearances under Erik ten Hag.
Who have Newcastle been linked with?
Ben Brereton Diaz – Newcastle, Everton, West Ham and Leeds are not prepared to pay Blackburn’s £15m asking price to sell Ben Brereton Diaz in January (The Sun, January 8).
Hirving Lozano – Arsenal and Newcastle are reportedly monitoring Napoli winger Hirving Lozano (The Sun, January 6).
Cristiano Ronaldo – Ronaldo has a clause in his Al Nassr contract that means he could move to Newcastle if they qualify for the Champions League, according to incredible reports (The Sun, January 2).
Ivan Fresneda – Newcastle have begun talks with Real Valladolid over signing Fresneda but they face competition from top European sides, according to reports (The Sun, January 2).
James Maddison – Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka could form part of a potential swap deal for Leicester playmaker James Maddison (Daily Express, January 2).
Moises Caicedo and Youri Tielemans – Eddie Howe wants Newcastle to sign a No 6 in the January transfer window, with Youri Tielemans and Moises Caicedo on the watch list (The Athletic, January 2); Newcastle are redrawing their January transfer plans to include the search for a midfield playmaker with Brighton’s Caicedo and Leicester’s Tielemans of interest (Daily Telegraph, December 29).
Rory MacLeod – Newcastle and Brighton are chasing Dundee United’s teenage star Rory MacLeod (The Sun, January 8); Southampton and Newcastle United are both set to watch Dundee United’s Rory MacLeod in the coming days. (Daily Record, January 1).
Jorginho – Newcastle have made Chelsea midfielder Jorginho their “prime transfer target” (Daily Mail, December 28).
Memphis Depay – Newcastle are ready to tempt the Barcelona flop into a Premier League return, although the Dutchman is reportedly keen on staying at the Nou Camp until the end of his contract this summer so he can secure a lucrative signing-on fee (Daily Express, December 27); Newcastle are interested in signing Depay from Barcelona and could be able to secure him for only £9m (Daily Mail, December 23).
Memphis Depay could be available for a bargain fee
Azzedine Ounahi – Serie A side Napoli have entered the race to sign Angers and Morocco midfielder Ounahi, who has been linked with Premier League clubs Leicester and Newcastle (Daily Mail, December 23).
Marcus Thuram – Newcastle might be able to prise Thuram away from Borussia Monchengladbach next month for less than £15m with his contract almost up (The Times, December 24); Allan Saint-Maximin hopes France World Cup star Thuram will turn down a move to Liverpool in favour of linking up with him at Newcastle (Daily Mail, December 23).
Adrien Rabiot – Newcastle have reportedly fallen behind Premier League rivals Tottenham for the signature of French international and Juventus midfielder Rabiot (Newcastle Chronicle, December 22).
The players linked with a Newcastle exit
Garang Kuol – Garang Kuol has travelled to Edinburgh for talks over a loan move to Hearts (Sky Sports, January 5); Hearts are said to be eyeing up an ambitious move for Kuol just days after he officially joined the Premier League side (Daily Record, January 5); Reading are trying to sign Kuol on loan after he shone for Australia at the World Cup (Daily Express, January 4).
Loris Karius – Karius could be set for a Newcastle exit just four months after joining the club as they weigh up their goalkeeping options (Daily Mail, January 2).
Martin Dubravka – Leicester have expressed an interest in signing Martin Dubravka after Newcastle terminated the goalkeeper’s loan move to Manchester United early (The Guardian, January 4); Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka could form part of a potential swap deal for Leicester playmaker James Maddison (Daily Express, January 2).
Jonjo Shelvey – Newcastle’s Shelvey still needs to start two more matches to earn a one-year contract extension, leaving the injured midfielder’s future at the club in doubt (Daily Mail, December 29).
Chris Wood – Kiwi striker Wood has been linked with a move to Leeds almost a year after joining the Magpies from Burnley, although the 31-year-old insists he is committed to Newcastle (Chronicle, December 20).
Jay Turner-Cook – Newcastle are thinking about possible loan destinations for highly-rated teenage midfielder Turner-Cook, who signed from boyhood club Sunderland in 2021 (Daily Mail, December 19).
Confirmed Newcastle signings
Garang Kuol – Central Coast Mariners, £300,000
Confirmed Newcastle departures
None.