Newcastle: Journalist claims next signing could be a loan deal

Insider Graeme Bailey believes that Newcastle United will be looking at the loan market to recruit a new midfielder.
The Lowdown: PIF not looking to spend heavily
Newcastle appear to have found themselves in a rather big hole heading into the final hours of the transfer window by allowing Jonjo Shelvey to join Nottingham Forest on a permanent basis without having a replacement lined up.
Eddie Howe has insisted that there are no guarantees the Magpies will be able to bring in a replacement signing before Tuesday’s deadline, which would certainly leave Newcastle very short in midfield.
As things stand, Newcastle have four central-midfield options, which may sound sufficient, but given the fact Howe deploys three at once, they are one injury away from a crisis in that department.
The Latest: Newcastle to look at the loan market
Howe’s commented on Financial Fair Play restrictions at Newcastle in the past, which is likely why they will look to move in the loan market, as Bailey highlighted on the Loaded Mag YouTube channel.
He said: “We’ve known they are looking for another midfielder. From what I’m told, it’ll likely be a loan. They’ve done the Gordon deal, it seems highly unlikely that they’re going to pay big money [again].
“Not that they can’t, but just with FFP etc, it’s looking very, very difficult to fit that in.”
The Verdict: Sensible business is being done
It is very admirable and sensible from Newcastle’s mega-wealthy owners to not just hand Howe whatever he wants and risk them being hit by FFP issues further down the line, which could ruin any progress they’ve already made.
Therefore, it looks as though a temporary signing is the only way Shelvey will be replaced, with the likes of Sander Berge, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all being linked with the Magpies recently.
However, any potential move for either of the latter two could well depend on Chelsea’s ability to land Enzo Fernandez, so Newcastle may well have to sit tight until other clubs do business, which may well lead to a busy deadline day.
