'One or the other': Journalist now says fans need to temper expectations ahead of January transfer window

After the disaster that was the summer transfer window Newcastle United fans are perhaps expecting Paul Mitchell to try to make up for things in January with a statement signing or two.

The belief amongst fans is that the Magpies have at least £70 million burning a hole in their pockets after failing to secure the deal for Marc Guehi in the summer and that those funds will be used in January to improve the squad.

It's a fair assumption, for sure, but unfortunately not how things work in the world under the despotic rule of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules.

Newcastle will still be taking a cautious approach to spending while PSR remains a thing and as such if Newcastle are to spend that £70 million it will have to be offset by player sales.

Getty Images

Newcastle are unlikely to go wild in the January transfer window

This is according to Chris Waugh who addressed the January transfer window in his latest Q&A for The Athletic where he was asked if Newcastle would bring in a defender and a right winger in the winter window.

As Waugh points out, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles should be back to fitness by then so the need for a defender is not as pressing as it was in the summer and the right-wing position is a far higher priority now.

"Despite the perception that Newcastle have £60million to £70m ($78.1m-$91m) spare given their failure to land Guehi in the summer, their rolling PSR balance means any purchase they make may need to be offset by sales.

"Therefore, it is highly unlikely Newcastle will sign both a right-winger and a centre-back in January. Chances are it will be one or the other — probably the former — unless injuries and form lead to a dramatic change of approach."

Newcastle likely to prioritise a right-winger in January

Newcastle have players to move on in January with Kieran Trippier, Miguel Almiron and Isaac Hayden all on the cusp of an exit, and if they're feeling really saucy they could try and move on Callum Wilson but that would only work if they brought in a replacement.

Chris Waugh namechecked Anthony Elanga in his answer for The Athletic so there could be a January bid made for him, but after being linked with Bryan Mbeumo and Antoine Semenyo who are both in scintillating form, we'd like to think we'd at least try for those two before going for Elanga who hasn't really got started this season yet.

Whoever it is, as long as they bring more to the table in terms of creativity than Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron we'll be happy.