The January transfer window has come to a close and Newcastle United have splashed the Saudi cash, spending £93 million.
The first signing made was Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid. Trippier is arguably the best right-back in the world and still a member of the England set-up despite competition from Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold. He’s an experienced international, representing England at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020.
Trippier adds versatility to the squad not only with his aggressive and intelligent defending, but also his set-piece ability is superb (as we all saw in the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup, scoring a sublime free-kick against Croatia).
In the three games Trippier has played for United, he has shown his leadership ability and was rewarded with the captain’s armband during the club’s mid-season trip to Dubai during the international break which saw the Magpies win 2-1 after thanks to screamer from Ryan Fraser.
Trippier is the signing who seems to have fans most excited and moving from a side that is in the Champions League shows his faith in the club.
Next to sign was New Zealand striker Chris Wood from relegation battle rivals Burnley.
An established goalscorer and an old fashioned out-and-out No.9, Wood will provide the clinical finishing Newcastle have been lacking thus far in the 2021-22 campaign and an injury replacement for Callum Wilson, who is back training with the club but not expected to return to the first team until the start of April.
Bruno Guimarães was the next to sign. The Brazilian international came to Tyneside from Olympique Lyon in Ligue 1 in France. A hard working box-to-box midfielder, Guimarães has a fantastic passing ability and is able to play centre-back.
He and Brazil compatriot Joelinton will have chemistry stemming from the national team at junior level as well as playing domestic football against each other in Brazil.
Guimarães showed his ability in the attacking third overnight as he provided an assist in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay after coming on as substitute.
On deadline day, Matty Target from Aston Villa signed on loan until the end of the season. Target is an established Premier League left-back and completes the important wing-back signings the club so desperately needed after questionable performances from Javier Manquillo and Jamal Lewis.
Target has crossing ability and he and Alan St Maximin will be looking to combine and adds another attacking threat on the flanks.
Newcastle have spent more money than any club in Europe this window and will be looking to take maximum points in the remaining games to stay in the top flight. With an investment in the club like this from PIF at the first possible opportunity has restored faith in the fans that the club is now in good hands and the Mike Ashley era is well and truly over.
Only time will tell if the huge investment will keep United in the Premier League. Come the end of May, the future will be much clearer and hopefully brighter skies ahead for a club whose fans have suffered for many years.
Newcastle will have their first hit-out with the new additions this weekend against Everton.
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This time last year they were fourteenth, they currently sit in fourth spot.
Newcastle have suffered an early exit again in the FA Cup.
