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All eyes have been on potential outgoings in recent weeks with the medium-term futures of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes up in the air as the likes of Arsenal oath Manchester City are linked.
But for now the club needs to focus on getting back into the Champions Leaguewhich may only require a fifth-placed finish this season.
Heading into the final days before the window opens, Newcastle are just two points off that spot with their trip to Old Trafford in hand.
And while their form is on the up with three league wins in a row, it was winter time last season when Eddie Howe‘s side’s season fell apart – so they will be under no illusions about the need to keep the squad fresh and bolstered before the run-in.
So who might they go after, do they have money to spend and what surprise move could we see on Tyneside?
Here, as part of our series looking at Premier League clubs’ January transfer plans, our Newcastle expert Craig Hope answers the five big questions.
The medium-term futures of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes is a cause for concern for Newcastle this January
Eddie Howe’s side have been in improved form in recent weeks and have won their last three league matches
1. What do Newcastle need?
They have not signed a right winger in more than three years of Saudi ownership, and that one position is the obvious area for improvement.
Saying that, Jacob Murphy cannot stop scoring and assisting goals from that domain right now. But while his form is good and he is a valuable squad member, it would be short-sighted to believe he is the long-term solution.
A right winger who scores and creates on a consistent basis can take the team to another level.
There is also still a need for a striker, center-back and goalkeeper. A center forward would act as back-up to Alexander Isak, given Callum Wilson’s availability cannot be relied on, and he is likely to leave the club on a free this summer. However, this is not a priority position internally at present.
A right-sided center-back, meanwhile, is seen as necessary as the successor to Fabian Schar, who turned 33 this month, while a goalkeeper to compete with and eventually replace Nick Pope has long been desired.
Jacob Murphy has been in supreme form of late but the Magpies are still in need of a right winger
A right-sided centre-back is seen as necessary as the successor to Fabian Schar, who turned 33 this month
2. Do they have money to spend?
Having money to spend and being able to spend it are two very different things in a PSR world.
In theory, Newcastle could go out and spend £70 million on any player they wanted this window. However, that would leave them in breach of PSR come June, if there were no player sales to offset the outlay.
It should be noted, it would not take a £70m exit to balance the books, because that is not how PSR works. But the word coming back from inside the club for a while now is that there cannot be incomings without outgoings this January.
Also, there is a feeling that not spending in this window would leave them in a far stronger position to invest in future windows – again, this is an upshot of how PSR is calculated.
The word coming back from inside the club for a while now is that there cannot be incomings without outgoings this January
3. Which players are they interested in?
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford remains a target, but that is more likely one for the summer. Likewise, a deal for Crystal Palace center back Marc Guehi would only be revisited if there was an opportunity not to be missed next month.
Eddie Howe likes Guehi and can see his profile improving his team, but we should not expect Newcastle to engage in a month-long chase, like they did back in August.
There is admiration for PSV winger Johan Bakayoko but, like all potential targets of high value, sources are insisting they are very unlikely to arrive on Tyneside in January.
Newcastle chased Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi in the summer and there remains interest in him this January
4. Who might leave?
Mail Sport revealed this month that sporting director Paul Mitchell has let it be known to clubs and intermediaries that they will listen to offers for midfielder Sean Longstaff.
The club has invoked a one-year extension on his contract – it now expires in 2026 – and that was to protect the value of the academy product. The likes of Leicester, Wolves and Everton are all aware of his availability.
Meanwhile, there is interest in Miguel Almiron from Olympiacos, Santos, Botofago and Charlotte FC, and Newcastle would like to do a deal in the region of £10m. That would help with PSR.
Martin Dubravka could leave for Saudi Arabia at the end of the month if Nick Pope returns in good shape from a knee injury, but Howe is reluctant to let go of a goalkeeper who is currently his first choice.
Kieran Trippier’s situation is also one to keep an eye on. However, star names such as Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes are set to stay at the club, although offers are expected to come in the summer.
Mail Sport revealed this month that Newcastle will listen to offers for midfielder Sean Longstaff
5. What unexpected moves should fans keep an eye on?
The improved health of Newcastle’s squad compared to last season’s never-ending injury crisis means there is no sense of panic internally right now.
Even the loss of Wilson to a hamstring injury until February is seen as manageable with Isak fit and Anthony Gordon an alternative.
However, if Isak were to pick up an injury, this would force Newcastle to do away with their current caution and go out and find a striker, be that on loan or a bigger, permanent investment, especially if their star man was facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines.
