A second Newcastle star could now leave the club this month as Eddie Howe looks set to cut his squad for the second half of the campaign, it has been reported.
Newcastle United wins again
Two more goals from star player Alexander Isak and a goal from Anthony Gordon ensured Newcastle escaped 3-0 win over Wolves midweek to extend their winning streak to nine in a row in all competitions and move them up to fourth in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe’s side are now well in contention to finish in the Champions League places, trailing second-placed Arsenal by just five points, but they are relying heavily on the fitness of their key men after it emerged that Harvey Barnes will miss around a month of action with with a thigh injury, leaving the Magpies with precious little cover for their front line.
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Newcastle’s next five games in the Premier League |
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Bournemouth (host) |
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Southampton (away) |
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Fulham (host) |
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Manchester City (away) |
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Nottingham Forest (home) |
That will only decrease further this January, with the Daily Mail reporting that Newcastle are preparing for accepted Atlanta United’s £10m bid for Miguel Almironwho has only started this campaign twice so far.
It added that the Paraguayan striker “is said to be keen to return to his former club and talks will accelerate this week” over a move away from Tyneside before the transfer window closes on February 3.
Perhaps more worryingly, it was also reported that “Newcastle are unlikely to sign a replacement” for the striker in a move that would leave them short in wide areas in the second half of the campaign. And now another Newcastle man is expected to leave with Almiron this month.
£100,000-a-week Newcastle defender ready to leave
It comes after The Boot Room claims to be the first Aston Villa boss Dean Smith plans to reunite with Matt Targett at new club Charlotte FCwhile there is also thought to be interest from across Europe.
The left-back has fallen down the pecking order thanks to injury at St James’ Park and now appears to be surplus to requirements following the emergence of Lewis Hall this season.
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He’s managed just 80 minutes of senior action, with the bulk of that coming in this weekend’s FA Cup third-round win, where he played 70 minutes in their win over Bromley, grabbing an assist in the process, but was again not part of the squad for the recent win over the Wolves.
Once manager Eddie Howe called him “outstanding”.he could now follow Almiron to MLS and “Charlotte FC is looking at him as a potential loan target,” while adding that “a number of European clubs are showing interest in Targett.”
This follows after the defender allegedly made available for loan earlier in the window in a move that could see Newcastle get something of their own He earns £100,000 a week off their books in an attempt to free up funds elsewhere.
While neither Targett nor Almiron have played as much as perhaps expected, both are still valuable players when fit and Newcastle fans will be hoping there are replacements in the works as they look to extend their impressive winning streak.
