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Newcastle United are preparing for their first transfer window since the takeover by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and are hoping for a much-needed lift to help their fight for survival.
Dean Henderson
After making 82 league appearances across two seasons for Sheffield United, including a brilliant season in the Premier League, Henderson’s career has somewhat stagnated at Manchester United. The form of David de Gea has restricted the Whitehaven-born goalkeeper to playing only two games for the Red Devils this season, one in the Carabao Cup and one in the Champions League.
When comparing the 24-year-old’s second season at the Blades to the current goalkeeping department of Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow this campaign, it is clear the goalkeeper can have an impact on Newcastle’s immediate future.
Both Darlow and Dubravka have a save percentage of 64% this season whereas Henderson saved 75% of shots faced in the 2019/20 season. The 24-year-old also averaged a higher number of clean sheets than both Newcastle goalkeepers and kicks 15 yards longer on average when going long from goal-kicks.
The England international is valued at around £20 million in the upcoming window but any incomings in the goalkeeper position will likely mean an outgoing too due to the number of players currently in that area.
Sven Botman
Ligue 1 winner and central defender Sven Botman is said to be a priority signing for Eddie Howe’s side this winter and what a signing it would be.
The 21-year-old has been Lille’s first choice defender for the past two seasons but has suffered due to the departures of teammates after winning the league last season. The likes of Mike Maignan and Boubakary Soumare left the club in the summer and Jonathan Ikone is set to join Fiorentina in January.
The Dutch international has more successful pressures this season than the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Antonio Rudiger and Ben White. Compared to this trio, only van Dijk has been dribbled past on fewer occasions than Botman but he has a higher percentage of aerial duels than the three Premier League defenders.
Although he has played fewer passes than the high-level defenders this season, Botman is very comfortable with the ball at his feet. He is in the top 25 percentile for both passes attempted and progressive passes and has an impressive pass accuracy of 87.9% so far in this campaign.
It is reported that Newcastle may need to be battle AC Milan for Botman after the long-term injury of Simon Kjaer has left the Italian side needing a new defender.
Anthony Martial
Due to a lack of game time, Anthony Martial’s agent has revealed that the forward will look to leave Manchester United in January. He has only made a combined three starts in the Premier League and Champions League and has scored just once this season.
The Frenchman’s best league campaign came in the 2019/20 season as he scored 17 goals in 32 games and assisted his teammates six times. He made five appearances in France’s most recent World Cup qualifying campaign but was left on the bench in their last two fixtures.
Martial averaged 0.79 goal contributions per 90 in that season which is higher than both Callum Wilson and Joelinton this season. What makes his numbers even more impressive, is that all 17 of those goals were non-penalty goals.
The Magpies have only scored 17 league goals this season, and with Martial looking to prove a lot of doubters wrong, it is a move that makes sense for both parties.
Eddie Nketiah
Another attacking option for Newcastle could be Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah. The forward has already rejected a new contract at the London club with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season.
Like Martial, the lack of game time has proved to be frustrating for Nketiah as he has only made two appearances in the Premier League, with both of them coming from the bench. However, in his two starts for the Gunners in the Carabao Cup, he has managed to score on both occasions.
Much like Joelinton, the 22-year-old can play through the middle or on the wing and is your typical poaching striker. He uses his pace and movement to get himself into dangerous positions in the box where the ball is most likely to fall.
Nketiah is the top goalscorer in England under-21 history and captained them at the most recent European Championships. The striker is ready to take the next step but it may not happen at Arsenal and a move to the Magpies may be the right step.
Kieran Trippier
Since moving to Atletico Madrid in 2019, a move back to England has always been on the cards for Kieran Trippier.
The full-back won the La Liga title last year and has also been an integral part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad over the last two major tournaments.
Compared to Newcastle right-backs Emil Krafth and Javier Manquillo, Trippier is superior in all areas. His pass accuracy is better in terms of short, medium, and long distances and attempted more passes than his current counterparts.
He has created twice as many chances leading to shots this season and is a dangerous threat from set-pieces. Newcastle rank eighth in the Premier League in terms of shots from set plays and ninth in terms of goals from set-pieces. Trippier can help increase their rank in this area even more and help keep the club in the top-flight of English football.
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