Newcastle eye 4 Arsenal transfer moves in January window

The January transfer window is either fascinating or grating depending on how one views the outpouring of rumours that fill the headlines. If the papers are to be believed then Arsenal have already been busy.

Midfield and centre-forward are the most discussed areas of the squad with Mikel Arteta faced with a mess of a striker situation and a dearth of bodies in the centre of the pitch.

Desperate work is underway to move Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are both free to discuss pre-contract agreements elsewhere with the pair having less than six months to run on their deals, and a temporary home for Folarin Balogun needs finding.

Then there is Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ impending departure to Roma, a move that is set to be finalised prior to the visit of Liverpool in the Carabao Cup. Surely another midfielder needs bringing in in that case.

Newcastle eye transfer moves for four Arsenal players in January window as Eddie Howe seeks reinforcements to avoid Premier League relegation

But as exciting, or tedious, as the window may be for Arsenal, what about Newcastle United? The Magpies’ Saudi Arabia-backed takeover was completed in October to end Mike Ashley’s 14-year reign (of terror) at the helm. New majority shareholder, Public Investment Fund, has a reported collective wealth of £320bn. Not million. Billion.

What they do in this window is what most supporters are drawn to. It doesn’t overly matter what fees they need to pay or what wages their targets will demand, they can afford it. With a reported budget of around £200m they are allowed to spend, their toughest job will be convincing players that a relegation battle under Eddie Howe will be worth it.

Links to players across Europe have emerged, just as they have at Arsenal.

As per The Telegraph, on the extensive list of targets the Tyneside club has drawn up there are four Arsenal players in contention for a January move to St James’ Park.

Could any of the four be bidding farewell to north London? After all, Howe’s preference is firmly on those with English top-flight experience.

1. Rob Holding

Age: 26
Contract expiry: 2024 (with 1 extra year option)
Possible fee: £20m

Newcastle are no strangers to Arsenal, having paid a whopping £25m to sign Joe Willock over the summer in one of the best pieces of business the Gunners have managed to wrangle in many years.

They’re also no strangers to Rob Holding, having been within a whisker of signing the defender on loan for the 2020/21 season. Arteta’s late intervention stopped the done deal short, partly believed to be over concerns with William Saliba’s development.

Well, Newcastle have kept their eyes on the Englishman, as he features on a list with Burnley’s James Tarkowski, Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly, Tottenham’s Joe Rodon, Everton’s Mason Holgate and Liverpool’s Nat Phillips. Lille’s Sven Botman has been the leading candidate but the French side continue to rebuff approaches and insist he’s not for sale.

Howe can’t transform Newcastle’s style overnight with the quality of players he has, and as far as penalty box/low block centre-backs go, Holding is a reliable choice in this division. He’s got bags of experience, is at a good age, and being a northern lad may not be against the idea.

From Arsenal’s point of view, however, he’s second choice for both centre-back slots and letting him go would be a huge risk unless there are viable options in the market to replace him with.

Does £20m sound about right? Probably, if we’re estimating.

Verdict: Far from out of the realms of possibility, what would hold this deal back is Arsenal having to dip into the market for a replacement, at a time where the fixtures are piling up.
Likelihood: 4/10

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