The signing Newcastle United are ‘confident’ they can secure early in January transfer window

After a year of immense highs and excitement, Newcastle United have uncharacteristically ended 2023 with a string of dreadful performances which only ramps up the need for further investment in the January transfer window. 

Back-to-back defeats to Luton Town and Nottingham Forest leave the Magpies eighth in the table and faltering in their push for European football. The Magpies face an alarming run of fixtures in January including Liverpool, Sunderland, Manchester City and Aston Villa.

But it is not all doom and gloom on the Toon and it appears that the club are close to completing their first transfer of the January transfer window, according to reports. The Telegraph explains that Newcastle are confident that they can agree a deal to sign England international Kalvin Phillips from defending champions Manchester City.

The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park for a number of months and it is widely reported that Eddie Howe is an admirer of the midfielder who helped guide Leeds United to promotion in 2020. Phillips has bags of experience in the Premier League and could prove to be the ideal defensive midfielder to help a Newcastle team that have struggled with injuries to Elliot Anderson and Joe Willock, along with the long-term suspension of summer signing Sandro Tonali.

The 28-year-old was a hugely important part of the Leeds team which survived in the Premier League for their first two seasons and his incredible form earned him recognition at international level as he became a regular during the European Championships in 2021.

Phillips’ form in the tournament helped England go all the way to the final for the first ever time before a penalty shoot-out loss to Italy and the Yorkshire born midfielder won the award for being England’s Player of the Year in 2021.

The English midfielder has been at Manchester City for 18 months but has barely played for Pep Guardiola’s team since his £42m move. Overall he has been involved in just 16 league games - with nearly all of those coming from the subs bench.

Newcastle United are the frontrunners to sign Phillips on loan according to The Telegraph, although the outlet does explain that Juventus, Everton and Crystal Palace are all monitoring the situation closely as well.