The transfer window is in full swing, but at St James’ Park they have had a quiet start. – That could quickly change after Tottenham have thrown themselves into the race for the Norwegian striker Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Strand Larsen, who started the season late after an injury, has not been able to impress new Wolverhampton manager Rob Edwards yet, so the interest from Newcastle comes because of what he got last season and for the Norwegian national team.
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Newcastle United will have Tottenham Hotspur as a competitor as they have also made contact with Wolverhampton to sign Jørgen Strand Larsen this month. – Newcastle’s head of recruitment Steve Nickson went to watch Wolves beat West Ham 3-0 at the weekend, with Strand Larsen as one of the players United are keeping an eye on this month. Another was the youngster Mateus Mané.
The message from Newcastle after the first week of the January window is that there is money available to spend if Eddie Howe sees fit to strengthen his squad.
Towards the end of December, there were brief discussions about the possibility of signing some cover in defence.
But the return of Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento and Sven Botman has eased nerves defensively, not to mention that Lewis Miley has been a revelation at right-back. Howe has described the winter trading period as “opertunistic” behind the scenes, and he has previously returned to previous goals.
Newcastle admired Larsen enough last summer to make a £55m bid for the Norwegian international, and he was interested in a move to the North East of England. Keeping Strand Larsen, Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade happy would be a tough job, but the Congo international’s absence in the first half of the season underlined just how thin Newcastle actually have cover among senior attackers.
And it will not go unnoticed by Howe, who has previously told me that he wants at least two stars fighting for each position. Howe hinted in his press conference today that there will be a continuous assessment of the squad in January, and that transfer actions could come later.
He said: “Our injury situation will dictate what happens in the transfer market. I know that work is going on behind the scenes to prepare for it. If we need to act, we can act, but if not, we can save our gunpowder for the summer, because in the PSR world, everything we do now will affect us in the long run. I think we’re in a kind of waiting position at the moment, waiting to see what direction we’re going to take.”
Another face that appeared on the training pitch this week has been midfielder Joe White. The 23-year-old played briefly in pre-season before going on loan to Leyton Orient.
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But not for the first time in recent years, Newcastle made a poor assessment when they sent him to Orient, where he has only made six appearances. Relentless Toon bosses interrupted White’s brief spell at Brisbane Road and he is back on the training ground. However, White is expected to be sent out on another loan spell for the second half of the season.
Meanwhile, another factor that will affect Newcastle United’s operations this window will be whether Fabian Schar extends his current contract. He was due to leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expired, but even at 34, Howe sees him as a key player on Tyneside. Howe told me at the media center earlier today that there is “a possibility” that he signs a new contract.
The Newcastle boss added: “I think he’s been outstanding. What a signing for the football club, and great to see him still going and playing so well.”
Tottenham, who are struggling more than Newcastle, are down in 13th place in the Premier League ahead of Wednesday’s games. Tottenham face Bournemouth away. – Is there one thing the club needs after selling Harry Kane almost three years ago is to find a worthy replacement. – Under the right conditions, Jørgen Strand Larsen can actually be the one who actually manages it.
Tottenham seem to be serious in their interest, Newcastle are leading the race, but need to get the famous finger out.
