The stunning £50m double deal priority Newcastle United must go all-in for in January transfer window

The mood on Tyneside should be overwhelmingly positive after Newcastle United’s results provided an encouraging start to the new season.

After three games, Eddie Howe’s side have claimed wins against newly-promoted Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur and battled to what many would consider to be a somewhat fortuitous draw at Bournemouth. Progress was secured in the Carabao Cup too as a penalty shoot-out win at Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest set up a third round visit to League Two club AFC Wimbledon. Yet there is a sense something is missing within the Magpies squad and performances, although encouraging in some parts, have not quite hit the levels many know Newcastle can reach.

‘Intensity is our identity’ is a well-known mantra within the Magpies setup and it feels some of that intensity has been lacking over the first month of what can still be a highly promising season on Tyneside. Some key players are yet to his their stride and there is a feeling Howe will be forced to rely on certain members of his squad avoiding injury after he was left short-handed in defence and attacking areas after a ponderous summer transfer window.

The long-term absence of centre-back duo Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles and a red card shown to fellow defender Fabian Schar in the win against Southampton has left Dan Burn and Emil Krafth to admirably deputise at the heart of the back four for the majority of the first month of the campaign. Although there have been some nervy moments, the duo have played a part in securing positive results. Of course, things could have been different had the Magpies secured the centre-back they craved throughout the summer - but their painstaking attempts to land Crystal Palace and England star Marc Guehi came to a disappointing end. Some would suggest a new bid to land the former Chelsea man could be made in January as he enters the 18 months of his current deal at Selhurst Park and that may well come to pass. However, there is one other key area within their squad where Newcastle seem to be playing a game of a risk.

As it stands, Alexander Isak is Howe’s only fit and available striker, a position he found himself in for large parts of last season as Callum Wilson suffered a number of injuries during the campaign. The England international is yet to feature this season after suffering a back injury during the summer - but is expected to return to contention after the international break. However, after being limited to just 12 starts in all competitions last season and just 26 appearances in all competitions, Newcastle are lacking a robust alternative option and direct competition to Isak.

The Sweden international can be viewed as one of the Premier League’s top strikers after his goal in Sunday’s home win against Tottenham Hotspur took him to 36 goals in 71 appearances for the Magpies. However, if Newcastle truly want to challenge for major honours with regularity and achieve the ambitious aims of their Saudi-led owners, they must provided competition for places in key areas and that means prioritising the signing of at least one striker during the January transfer window. With one eye on their ongoing battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations, it would be safe to assume the Magpies will target players within the final year to 18 months of their contracts with their current employers. An ability to work within a number of positions in Eddie Howe’s frontline is preferable too. There are some intriguing options available for Newcastle within that criteria and a number of potential signings that have already been on their radar in recent years.

Firstly, Lille star Jonathan David has been watched on a number of occasions by Magpies recruitment staff and the Canada international will enter the final six months of his deal with the Ligue 1 club when the new year arrives. Although he is believed to be valued at over £35m by Lille, it would be safe to assume a lower fee could be negotiated as the French outfit would be at risk of losing the forward on a free transfer next summer.

The same could be said of Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been repeatedly linked with a move to St James Park since the Saudi-led takeover at Newcastle was finally given the green light in October 2021. Howe is believed to be a keen admirer of the Toffees frontman and interest could be revived when the January transfer window opens for business. It could be argued Newcastle could negotiate a lower combined fee for David and Calvert-Lewin than the £65m they were willing to hand over to Palace for Guehi and hand a severe boost to their attacking options. Although a long-term option at centre-back is required, the new year return of Botman and Lascelles would mean Newcastle would be well covered at the heart of their defence - something that currently can not be said of the other end of the pitch.