Newcastle United January transfer briefing: Kees Smit update

Newcastle United head into January with the team 10th in the Premier League and looking to recover the top-five position that would keep them in the Champions League.

There is also a Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City and the likelihood of Champions League knockout football on the horizon.

So, what should we expect from them in the transfer market this month? Here, our chief football reporter CRAIG HOPE brings you the latest from inside St James’ Park…

What do Newcastle need to do in January? 

First of all, they need to clear their treatment room and make a call on who is staying and who is going. The immediate futures of Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier, Joe Willock and Will Osula are all uncertain. That will give clarity on the health and depth of the squad.

However, Newcastle will not spend to plug holes this month and, rather, money will only be invested in players they believe have a long-term future on Tyneside. In terms of position, full back is the most likely area of priority, followed by a young midfielder.

Do they have money to spend?

Yes, but not the war-chest some perhaps believe in the wake of Alexander Isak’s £125million sale to Liverpool. Don’t forget, £250m was also spent last summer. Newcastle are in a healthy position with regards spending rules but are also mindful of heading into next summer with funds available and freedom to invest. The word coming out of St James’ Park in recent weeks is that January will not see a major spend. They will be active and able, but only if the deal is right.

This is sporting director Ross Wilson’s first window since his September arrival and he is looking at the bigger picture when it comes to recruitment, as opposed to short-term fixes.

Who are they targeting? 

An approach for Toulouse left back Dayann Methalie is anticipated, although Newcastle are monitoring his situation at present. The 19-year-old is liked by all inside St James’ – he is athletic, comfortable on the ball and can also play as a left-sided centre back. Newcastle would see his addition as accelerating summer plans.

Daily Mail Sport revealed in November that AZ Almaar’s Kees Smit was at the top of the midfield wish-list heading into January. However, we understand the 19-year-old is unlikely to move this month and, if he does, it would be for a fee beyond where Newcastle want to go in the winter window. Figures north of £40m have been mooted in recent days, and just about every top club in Europe has an interest. Should Smit remain with AZ, Newcastle will still be at the table come the summer. Auxerre’s Kevin Danois, 21, and Feyenoord’s Luciano Valente, 22, are also midfielders of interest.

This is more one for the summer, but I can reveal that Newcastle will NOT revisit a move for James Trafford, as it stands. There is a feeling that, after two failed approaches in the summers of 2024 and 2025, the goalkeeping focus must shift elsewhere. Trafford joined Manchester City in July only for the club to then sign Gianluigi Donnarumma. That led to talk of Newcastle making a renewed move. However, I am told this is unlikely to happen. Trafford’s new wages are one issue.

To that end, Newcastle are re-assessing their goalkeeping situation ahead of the summer and names discussed (but not currently being pursued) include Real Sociedad’s Alex Remiro, 30, and Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel, 28.

How have their summer signings fared so far?  

Mixed. Yoane Wissa was the striker who Newcastle hoped would fill the void left by Alexander Isak, but he injured his knee before making his debut and missed three months. There is an expectation that his recent return will help correct the team’s inconsistent form, and with two goals from two starts he has looked the part at centre-forward.

The biggest success of the new arrivals has been Malick Thiaw, the £35m centre back. His fellow German Nick Woltemade has also been a hit in terms of goals – he has nine from 25 games – but the transition from livewire Isak has not been straightforward, given Woltemade’s playing style is far removed from that of the Swede. Still, he has worn the shirt with great character and has shown his class with some picture-book finishes.

Anthony Elanga, at £55m, has been a disappointment so far, with no goals from 25 appearances. The winger has struggled to make his blistering pace impact in new surrounds and is currently sidelined. Meanwhile, £40m midfielder Jacob Ramsey suffered an ankle injury in August and his introduction has been stop-start. He has not shown his best and Eddie Howe will be hoping for more in 2026.

And who might leave? 

Keep an eye on Osula and Aston Villa, although there is a feeling they would only do the deal at a bargain price, which Newcastle are not willing to entertain. They had a permanent transfer agreed on deadline day only for Villa to realise that a quirk of UEFA spending rules made it difficult to proceed, given Ramsey had already moved in the opposite direction. Eintracht Frankfurt and Crystal Palace also like the Danish striker, who is due to return from an ankle injury after having a protective boot removed before Christmas.

Trippier is out of contract in the summer and is not expected to sign a new deal, with interest from home and abroad. However, he is still needed and is due to return from a hamstring layoff.

Lascelles is most likely to leave this month, while it would take a serious offer for Willock from the likes of Crystal Palace for his exit to be contemplated. At present, there has been no approach for Willock.