Newcastle target two signings in January as transfer plan confirmed

The transfer window swung open this morning with Newcastle looking at "one or two" targets to boost their squad for the second half of the season.

Agents and club officials across the football world are predicting a different transfer window this month, with pandemic financial pressures, the impact of Brexit and the proximity of the last window to this one meaning it could be quieter than usual. January is always seen as a more difficult window to operate in.

And while Newcastle intend to be active in the loan market, they will need to box smart and the prospect of game changing signings like Callum Wilson look slim.

Steve Bruce intends to tap up his contacts to bring in loan signings while Steve Nickson is looking to European options, which is what happened last year.

Bruce confirmed Newcastle's January plans and said "one or two things" would be progressed in the coming weeks.

"We've got one or two things. We all know how difficult January is. Last year we brought in three loan signings which helped us. That's an avenue we'll go down," he said.

"It's very very difficult to go and get a loan player who can come in straight away and improve you. You usually get them in January because they haven't been playing or they've fallen out with someone.

"We'll scour the market. We've got one or two things we might progress, hopefully. And if it improves us we'll try and be in a position to act."

United's position of relative comfort in the league and the presence of several members of the squad on big wages who aren't even in the match day squad may also be factors.

Bruce had pushed for Newcastle to move for Ross Barkley in the summer but financial factors ruled that out. He has expressed tentative interest in Dele Alli but that looks like a non-starter.