---
title: "Newcastle United: Magpies prioritising a midfielder this month"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-premier-league-january-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2023-01-15T09:40:39Z"
modified: "2023-01-15T09:40:39Z"
---

# Newcastle United: Magpies prioritising a midfielder this month

**[Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/) are prioritising bringing in a new central midfielder during the January transfer window, [Sky Sports journalist](https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith) Keith Downie has claimed.**

### The Lowdown: Quiet January so far

The Magpies are surely looking to bring in a new face or two this month, as [Eddie Howe](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/eddie-howe/) aims to keep gradually building an even more impressive squad.

It has been a quiet January to date on the transfer front at St James’ Park, but it would be a surprise if no business is done, as that could potentially affect their chances of a top-four finish in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/).

However, one recent claim suggests that Newcastle’s approach has changed a little.

### The Latest: Midfielder wanted

Speaking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88103947-newcastle-united-transfer-update-keith-downie-midfielder-eddie-howe-premier-league-st-james-park), Downie said that the Magpies’ attention has now turned to acquiring the services of a midfielder.

The reporter stated:

> “I think the priority has changed in the last few weeks, probably since we last spoke. The priority above all at the moment is to add a central midfielder.
>
> “With Jonjo Shelvey coming back, that softened the blow and lessened the need for a central midfielder. But now he’s for another couple of months and there are question marks over his long-term future, his injury record and the fact he’s had two injuries already when he’s not played this season. It will take him a while to get up to speed after having had both injuries.
>
> “Without a doubt, they need a new holding midfielder in there.”

[Newcastle news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-7/)

### The Verdict: Sensible by Newcastle

Signing someone extra in midfield would be a shrewd move by Howe, especially considering the amount of work that the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff get through. The latter two notably sit among the [top five Newcastle players](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/leistungsdaten/verein/762) for minutes played already in 2022/23.

As the season goes on, their legs could possibly start to tire, so signing a top-quality operator in that area would help to ease the workload on the current first-choice trio. The recruit would need to be someone who is seen as a long-term investment, though, rather than a quick fix.

James Maddison is a potentially perfect candidate, having been [linked](https://www.givemesport.com/88101414-newcastle-transfer-news-james-maddison-main-target-st-james-park) with a move to St James’ Park numerous times. His [seven league goals](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/137015/Show/James-Maddison) this season outline his quality while he also gets through plenty of work off the ball, averaging [1.9](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/137015/Show/James-Maddison) tackles per game.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“418867″\]