3 transfer targets for Newcastle United in the 2023 offseason
By Cade Cracas
While Newcastle United has had success in the 2022-2023 season as they sit atop the Premier League table and will be making an appearance in the Carabao Cup Finals, the team may need to evaluate potential high-end transfer targets to separate themselves from the competition in the Champions League.
The Magpies currently sit as one of the top teams in the Premier League table at the No. 4 spot and have impressed onlookers as they have not lost a league contest since August 2022.
But, even with success being found, the team may need that one star to shift the play on the pitch to the next level.
With that being said, who could be three potential transfers for Newcastle United?
1. Erling Haaland
While Erling Haaland playing at St. James Park seems outlandish, Manchester City has found itself in a very sticky situation due to financial violations. With that being said, the possibility of Haaland wanting out of a high-pressure time period is a reality.
Newcastle United is in a perfect spot to shell out big-time cash to a player like Haaland, and with the new Saudi Arabian owners, they may be looking to bring in a player like him that commands heavy public press. An acquisition like this would most certainly bring the club a drastic increase in media coverage, and would also bring exposure to some of the other aspects of the team.
Well, what would the overall value of Haaland look like?
Throughout his time with Manchester City this season, he has contributed 25 Premier League goals, one EFL Cup goal and five Champions League goals. So through those 27 games, he has given the team 31 goals, proving that his value is exponentially high.
And, he is only 22 years old.
His current value according to transfermarkt.us, is worth upwards of €170,000,000. That value is very large and has only grown since joining Manchester City, and if he were to go to a team like Newcastle United he would remain the No. 1 option which further increases his value.
With teams like Real Madrid pursuing the young star, there is no reason why Newcastle should not at least send an offer to Manchester City if he becomes unsettled with the team.
2. Alphonso Davies
Alphonso Davies has been highly regarded as one of the best full-backs in the world and is most certainly the best in the Bundesliga.
However, he has had some inconsistent play in recent months with Bayern Munich, and the two sides may be looking for a fresh start.
If that is the case, bringing him to a high-market league like the Premier League might be exactly what he needs to bring his career back in the right direction. Newcastle United currently has a star at right back with Kieran Trippier, and giving Trippier a counter piece in Davies at left back would certainly bolster the Newcastle defense.
Davies’ best quality is his speed and diverse play style that can take on opposing defenses as well. At times, this can put him in a bad spot as he plays more as a left-winged back, but this could help the lackluster Newcastle attacking core that seems to have inconsistencies scoring the ball and setting up opportunities.
In the Bundesliga, he has provided five goals and 12 assists as a defender, showcasing that he can both be utilized defensively and as a helper while attacking.
His current value sits at €70,000,000, which is a much more likely acquisition for Newcastle United, who most certainly have that type of money to spend on a defensive star. At just 22 years old, the sky is the limit for him, and if Newcastle can make an offer that Bayern Munich will listen to, they do not want to pass up on it.
I would expect the team to go no higher than €90,000,000 if Bayern Munich does play hardball during negotiations.
Having comfortability on both sides of the defense is important and would lock down the defense for a Champions League run.
3. Christian Pulisic
Well, this option may be the most likely and most talked about rumor during the 2023 January transfer window.
Although this transfer would have helped Newcastle United offensively, the team decided to go a different route and bring in young stud Anthony Gordon.
If Newcastle were to not bring in Gordon, the possibility for the team to target Pulisic would be higher, but due to the Gordon signing the probability just drops slightly. The main reason why this transfer could happen is that Chelsea has practically given up on the 24-year-old.
Through the past four seasons, he has contributed 20 goals and nine assists and has fizzled out of the starting lineup this season. Pulisic has voiced his discomfort with the lack of playing time, ultimately solidifying his unhappiness with the Blues.
His current value of €38,000,000, which has dropped as the season has continued, makes this possible transfer very likely.
Newcastle United would be paying less than they did for Gordon during the transfer window.
Chelsea and Newcastle have also been linked throughout the majority of this past season on a Pulisic transfer, and I would expect those talks to blow up once again after the season comes to a close.
This signing could be very important for Newcastle as they look to provide consistency in the attacking position, while for Chelsea this gives them some money in return for an open roster spot.
Both Pulisic and Chelsea need to move on from one another.
Newcastle United has to find top form as they approach the possibility of appearing in the Champions League, and their recent ties have hindered their ceiling.
Only time will tell what decisions the front office for Newcastle United decides to make, and what ideas they may have for potential transfers or signings, but these are some potential big names the team could have their eyes on.
The next transfer window opens in the summer when league seasons come to a close.
Want your voice heard? Join the Newcastle Toons team!