NEWCASTLE UNITED’S recent winning run has transformed lots of things at St James’ Park, with the club’s January transfer policy perhaps at the top of the list.
A month ago, with the Magpies struggling in the relegation zone, a repeat of 2013’s January spending splurge looked likely. Now, there is every chance of Mike Ashley keeping his money in his pocket.
Alan Pardew has talked of needing another centre-half, but Ashley can point to Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Mike Williamson and Paul Dummett and highlight four in-form defenders, all of whom are capable of playing at the heart of the back four.
Things are slightly less cut and dried at the other end of the field, with Papiss Cisse due to represent Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations at the turn of the year, but Ayoze Perez’s recent form confirms he is ready for the Premier League and Adam Armstrong’s emergence into the first-team ranks continues apace.
If you were Ashley, would you pay a January premium to bring in another centre-forward? Or with your side in the top five, would you sit tight and wait for the summer when the market is likely to be less chaotic?
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