Newcastle United set to confirm deadline day deal as approach made for £27m pair

Which players have left?

The first three quarters of the window was largely used to sort loans for a selection of under-21s players.

Defenders Alex Murphy and Charlie McArthur have linked up with Bolton Wanderers and Carlisle United, respectively, while Travis Hernes has joined Danish side Aalborg BK for the remainder of the campaign.

Newcastle recalled Jamie Miley from his loan spell at League Two side Newport County on January 13 before sanctioning a permanent move to North East neighbours Hartlepool United, who compete in the National League.

The 21-year-old was out-of-contract in the summer and had been given permission to train at Pools with a view to earning a permanent contract.

In terms of senior outgoings, Isaac Hayden is six games into his loan spell at Portsmouth in the Championship while last week Newcastle bid an emotional farewell to Miguel Almiron.

The Paraguayan, who first moved to St James’ Park six years ago for a then club record £21million, has returned to Atlanta United for around £10m after falling down the pecking order in Howe’s team.

Will there be any further outgoings?

Lloyd Kelly is set to complete his move to Serie A giants Juventus after undergoing his medical in Turin on Sunday evening.

The 26-year-old only joined Newcastle in the summer on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth but has been restricted to just four Premier League starts - his last coming in November.

Kelly will join Juve on an initial loan deal, which includes a £20million obligation to buy in the summer, terms that United found too good to turn down.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have received enquiries for Kieran Trippier and Matt Targett from Galatasaray and Watford, respectively, but neither will be leaving currently.

Trippier, 34, remains an important member of the squad and will hope to challenge Tino Livramento for the right-back spot between now and the end of the campaign.

United had been open to offers for Targett but Kelly’s imminent departure would leave the squad light at left-back..

Elsewhere, third choice goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos is set to stay put after turning down an approach from Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab. His preference has been to stay in Europe.

What about incomings?

Newcastle haven’t made any first team signings this winter but have been busy recruiting players with high potential.

Georgian forward Vakhtang Salia visited Newcastle’s training ground and St James’ Park at the beginning of January ahead of officially joining from Dinamo Tbilisi when he turns 18 in August.

The likelihood is he will be loaned to a European club in the summer.

And in a similar move, Newcastle are closing in on the signing of attacking midfielder Baran Yildiz from Turkish second-tier club Genclerbirligi. The 18-year-old is understood to have agreed a long-term contract.

United have also brought in Republic of Ireland youngster Kyle Fitzgerald from Galway United

OK, so what about senior incomings?

The short answer is no. The long answer is far more complicated.

The departure of Almiron and Kelly undoubtedly weakens the squad and doesn’t help matters in the short-term, i.e. trying to qualify for Europe.

It’s a big risk but it’s clearly one Newcastle feel they need to take. The suggestion is that by not spending this month, the club will be in a stronger position financially to recruit in the summer. Of course, the proof will be in the pudding.

Newcastle had to sell to Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh last June in order to satisfy Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and avoid a points deduction.

Quite simply, they don’t want to be in such a dire situation again. It was Anderson and Minteh then, United don’t ever want it to be someone like Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon or an academy product like Lewis Miley.

Hate the game, not the player...