Newcastle United drop January transfer clue as PIF spending decision put in place

Newcastle United have checked out Antoine Semenyo in recent windows with Eddie Howe an admirer of the right winger.

However, Chronicle Live understands that Newcastle’s name has not yet cropped up on a list of interested clubs after his £65million release clause became public.

The Ghana international can leave the Vitality Stadium in January for that set fee but sources close to the deal say that it will be a grapple between the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

With Newcastle eager to make the signing of Anthony Elanga a success, it is unlikely that Newcastle will be in the market for another winger in any case. United have Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy plus Elanga vying for two spots.

It is also understood that after a £250m spend on Tyneside last summer – and only Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade proving partial success stories so far – Newcastle may well hold back any major spending until the summer window.

The feeling behind the scenes is that Yoane Wissa’s return must be allowed to unfold effectively after his knee injury and that Jacob Ramsey gets the run in the team he needs to be deemed an impactful signing.

Even with the 2025/26 season in full flow there are still a lot of moving parts going on at the training ground and while there are green ticks alongside the Champions League and Carabao Cup campaigns, there is currently a red cross next to the Premier League with Newcastle sitting in 14th place.

However, there is understanding from the powers that be that this is a new team and more time and patience should be afforded to Eddie Howe and his coaching team before any serious judgments are made.

As reported by Chronicle Live last month it looks highly unlikely that the Magpies will go back to Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson – despite hiring the man who lured him to the City Ground to begin with.

With Forest already putting price tags in the shop window for Anderson at over £100m – with journalists being briefed on future fees for the Academy product – Howe has already played down any interest from United at that price.

Howe told Chronicle Live: “Sentiment never comes into it – it is always about finance. We have not had any discussions on the January window.

“We’re too focused on the amount of games we have. That will take focus for now.

“Certainly paying fees like that (£120m), and I am not sure we are going to be in a position to do that. I am talking about that without any knowledge on January.

“It is just not really a window that big fees are usually paid.”

So there you have it, Howe, never one to shirk a question in a Press conference, has already essentially spoken about Newcastle’s capacity to throw money at any problems in January.

Yes, they have funds to bring in players as back-up if required but no winter shopping spree will be expected given a huge cheque was written in the summer.

Younger players will also be looked at with some possible deals already lined up. But Newcastle’s major spending for the 2025/26 season has already taken place.