Newcastle United transfers: Although the transfer window has ended, Premier League clubs can still do business.
Newcastle United are entering the final months of the season with a weakened squad.
Callum Wilson will be out until the end of the season after undergoing surgery for a chest ailment. Joelinton is also expected to miss several months and may not return this season.
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali is also banned until August, therefore he was left out of the Magpies’ 25-man squad for the second part of the season.
Newcastle didn’t secure any new senior players during the winter transfer window, but they did let go of right-back Javier Manquillo to Celta Vigo. With Tonali’s suspension and Manquillo’s departure, Newcastle now has two vacancies in their 25-man squad.
These openings give Newcastle the opportunity to sign and register free agents who can play for them in the current Premier League season. While the likelihood of Newcastle signing a free agent is low, Premier League regulations permit squad adjustments “during the period of a Transfer Window; or at other times only with the permission of the Board.”
Premier League teams can register players, including free agents, until the fourth Thursday in March (March 28). Given Newcastle’s available spots in their squad, any changes they propose would probably be approved by the Premier League board.
Eddie Howe amusingly mentioned his openness to signing free agents during his recent pre-match press conference, quipping, “If you can give me some names!”
However, free agents are available for a reason, and there aren’t many appealing options currently. Notable options include former Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle, who has been released by Stoke City, and ex-Bournemouth forward Lys Mousset, who has worked with Howe before.
Another notable player without a club is former Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi, who has prior Premier League experience. The most prominent free agent is goalkeeper David De Gea, who has previously been linked with Newcastle. Nonetheless, Newcastle hopes their ongoing injury woes will resolve soon, sparing them the need to explore the free agent market.
Leave a Reply