From Kieran Trippier to Georginio Wijnaldum: The new signings Newcastle United fans hope to see in January

With Newcastle United under new financial power, the January transfer window is the one of most eagerly anticipated four weeks in the club’s long history.

For the first time in what feels like an eternity, Magpies fans enter a new year full of hope, belief and optimism now Mike Ashley’s gone.

Under the new ownership of PCP Partners, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and RB Sports & Media, the Geordie-faithful are dreaming big. And, who can blame them?

While there are jokes of signing Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe, there is a sense of realism on Tyneside as to what players Newcastle might be able to sign this month.

Our NewcastleWorld writer Jordan Cronin asked Toon supporters on Twitter what players they’d like to see arrive to fill the positions of two central defenders, a full-back, central midfielder and striker in January.

A number of names were put forward, and here we break those down:

The defenders - Trippier, Botman & Tarkowski

England full-back Kieran Trippier was the most popular mention as United look to strike a deal to sign the 31-year-old from Atletico Madrid.

Negotiations are ongoing and there is confidence the Magpies can bring Trippier to St James’ Park, which would be an early statement of intent from the new owners.

Sven Botman, a Ligue 1 champion with Lille, is also in United fans’ thinking, with the Netherlands under-21s central defender featuring high on the club’s transfer shortlist.

Beyond those two players, Burnley’s James Tarkowski, Bayern Munich’s Niklas Sule, Wolves’ Conor Coady and Everton’s Lucas Digne have also heavily mentioned.

Sule and Tarkowski are out-of-contract at the end of the season, however a deal for the latter will prove more difficult with Sean Dyche’s side reluctant to sell to a Premier League relegation rival.

Coady is Wolves’ captain, which brings obvious complications. But Digne’s falling out with Rafa Benitez at Everton is clearly a situation some United fans feel their club should take advantage of.

Central midfielders - a Wijnaldum return?

Many supporters are pining for an emotional Georginio Wijnaldum return after the midfielder admitted he was “not completely happy” with his game time at Paris Saint-Germain, despite only joining the French giants last summer.

The Dutchman suffered Premier League relegation during his one season at Newcastle but his 11 goals made him a fans’ favourite and standout performer, which ultimately earned him a move to Liverpool.

Under Jurgen Klopp, Wijnaldum became more of an all-round midfielder - winning a Premier League and Champions League title.

Staying in France, United were keen on Marseille’s Boubacar Kamara at the beginning of the campaign, and it appears he has remained a player of interest to supporters. Aaron Ramsey is another, with Juventus open to offloading the Wales international as he sets his sights on a return to England.

Out-of-favour Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek often cropped off, while some fans feel Newcastle should submit a ‘cheeky’ bid for Southampton’s set-piece specialist James Ward-Prowse.

The strikers - South American trio

Potential signings suggested by fans for defence and midfield were fairly consistent. Strikers, however, were much more varied.

Starting with Gabriel Barbosa, the Brazilian forward dubbed as ‘Gabigol’ following his goal-laden spell at Flamengo. However, when in Europe with Inter Milan and Benfica, the 25-year-old found goals hard to come by. Reports have suggested United have enquired about a loan to-buy-deal.

The form of Ben Brereton, born in Stoke and now a Chile international, hasn’t gone unnoticed on Tyneside after the player reached the landmark of 20 goals for the Championship season last month.

Uruguayan Darwin Nunez has been in scintillating form for Benfica but his reported price-tag of £50million might prove a little too much, too soon. Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic sits in a similar bracket.

Then finally, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang is on Newcastle fans’ lips. Stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal, it didn’t take long for 32-year-old - a previous target during his Saint-Etienne days - to be linked with a move to the North East.