Top five January transfer needs for Newcastle United

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Dwight Gayle of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring his sides first goal with Mohamed Diame of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Where the focus should be in the approaching weeks.

Newcastle United and manager Rafa Benitez are enduring a very difficult stretch at the moment, and little seems to be going according to plan. The team are currently win-less in their last six Premier League matches, and takeover talks between Mike Ashley and PCP Capital Partners continues on without many confirmed updates.

There have been positives thus far in 2017-18 though, and that certainly should not be ignored in any way. Summer signings Mikel Merino and Florian Lejeune have shown excellent abilities, while Jacob Murphy is beginning to display more promise during the past few weeks.

But as almost any Newcastle supporter will tell you at this point, more will be necessary in the next transfer window.

One of the crucial aspects of what Newcastle will be able to do next month depends on actions off the pitch, and the potential new ownership group that should be arriving.

If PCP Capital Partners take control and are able to establish significant transfer funding, the coming weeks could be extremely exciting for fans in the North East.

If Ashley is still in place for one more transfer period (as all signs point towards his exit this season), then perhaps a stricter budget will be applied.

No matter the outcome in the board room, the situation on the pitch must be addressed aggressively, for the sake of the club’s future and for the future of Benitez on Tyneside.

We focus on five areas that need to be considered this January if Newcastle United want to improve and attempt to solve the problems that have Geordies concerned about another year in the Championship.