Newcastle United's new owners have been warned the January transfer window is the 'biggest' in the club's history by cult hero Ryan Taylor.
The Magpies are looking to strengthen their squad in a bid to stay in the top flight, and the former Toon right-back feels it is a huge month for the club.
The new owners at St James’ Park will be desperate not to drop into the Championship at the end of the season, and will spend accordingly to give Eddie Howe the best chance of keeping his side in the division.
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With the window just a few days old, Kieran Trippier looks as though he will be first new player through the door and it is highly unlikely that he will be the only new face.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Taylor didn’t downplay how important the next few weeks were for his former side.
“100% this is the biggest window Newcastle United have ever had because they’ve got all the money and the project,” he claimed.
“They need to stay in the Premier League. The owners are not going to be silly with the money but they’ll have targets.”
Like many Newcastle supporters, the 37-year-old was very clear in the areas of the squad that he believes need strengthening between now and the end of the month.
“[The issues] are right down the middle of the pitch,” said Taylor, in no uncertain terms.
“The centre half position, maybe bring in a centre midfielder and a striker just to help Callum Wilson. I think if they can get a really solid spine in the team and build around it with players like Saint-Maximin, I think they’ll be fine.
“They do need to strengthen that central defensive position though.”
As mentioned, Trippier is likely to be the first signing of the new era and he will occupy the position that Taylor held down during his time in the North East.
It is a statement of intent that the ex-Magpie was impressed by and he claimed that it could lead to a number of other proven players following him to Newcastle.
“It’s not necessarily the position Newcastle need to strengthen first but he’s proven,” Taylor added.
“He’s a Premier League player so why not? There’s obviously more on the radar but if they can get this deal over the line, signing someone like Trippier coming from such a big club like Atletico Madrid, it then opens the door for more players thinking ‘well he’s going there, I’ll go and join them too’.
“He’s had a good time in Spain, he probably feels like now is the right time to leave.
“The project Newcastle can throw at him is probably what he can’t refuse, how can you refuse it when you’re going to the richest club in the world with the fan base they’ve got? There’s the two reasons why you’re probably going to go there.”
As all the talk of the transfer window rages on, Howe and his current squad of players still have the task of staying in the Premier League.
Consolidation at the top table of English football this season is what will help to entice the real marquee signings that the new owners are ultimately looking to bring in over the next few years.
Despite being in the relegation zone at the moment, Taylor is confident the Magpies can turn it around if the right business is done throughout the rest of the month.
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He said: “The good thing is for Newcastle is that they’re not too far adrift, it could’ve been a lot worse if the teams around them were picking up points but they’re not.
“Newcastle are still right in this, I know they’ve played one or two games more. They’ve had a few called off, get a few signings in and it not only brings confidence for the players in and around the team, but the club as a whole.
“It just needs a bit of an uplift especially after the Manchester United result, it’s looking good but they just need those players coming through the door.”
