The Migrating Magpie: Week One of the January Transfer Window

Week one of 2023 is in the books and if it did anything, it served to illuminate gaping holes among many high-profile Premier League squads.

Logic dictates that clubs like West Ham, Everton, and Chelsea now must make moves simply to calm their fanbases down.

Newcastle have now gone a goalless 180 minutes, and with Matt Targett’s injury the Magpie defensive reserves are depleted. So, where do we fit in?

Cody Gakpo — Liverpool

Liverpool began the transfer window of 2023 with a bang and were quick to pull the trigger on now-former PSV youngster Cody Gakpo. The Dutch forward scored three goals in three matches at the World Cup and can expect an entrance at the FA Cup tie versus Wolves on Saturday.

Memphis Depay — Barcelona

Countryman Memphis Depay continues to be linked to numerous EPL and Serie A squads with deep pockets (read: Newcastle), in what has become a familiar situation for Barcelona stars with massive wages who have fallen out of manager Xavi’s long-term plans. Does anyone remember Frenkie De Jong last summer?

Christian Pulisic & Marcus Thuram — Chelsea

Chelsea lost Raheem Sterling and Magpie-linked target Christian Pulisic target during the opening minutes of a loss on Thursday to Man City.

American internationals Tony Meola and Eric Wynalda, hosts of SiriusXM’s daily show Counterattack, both agreed that Pulisic’s movements indicated an MCL injury in the knee. In a turn of events, Goal.com reports that Chelsea have now become the frontrunners for French forward Marcus Thuram as a replacement.

Youri Tielemans & James Maddison — Leicester

Leicester FC have been outscored a for a combined 6-1 in three consecutive losses since returning to action, and with only two points separating them from the relegation zone they may have no other choice than to cash out on the likes of stars James Maddison and Youri Tielemans.

While both have been linked to Newcastle, Arsenal, and Tottenham, multiple media members have begun a frenzy after Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers seemed resigned to losing his top attractions in a response to football.london’s own reports earlier this week.

Ivan Fresneda — Valladolid

With FA and EFL Cup matches pending and two EPL matches to go before the halfway point of the 2022-23 season, Newcastle must reinforce their depth chart at the full-back positions while they have the chance.

Matt Targett (heel) could be out until at least February, and Kieran Trippier can’t be expected to log 90 minutes every match.

According to Shields Gazette, Spanish defender Ivan Fresneda of Real Valladolid is among the defenders being scouted by the Toon. Though only 18 years old, Fresneda is already getting 90-minute shifts in La Liga. Should Jamal Lewis and Javier Manquillo struggle in their cup appearances, or just find a market and interest out there coming from other clubs, expect quick activity.

Hirving Lozano — Napoli

Finally, The Sun have been reporting that Newcastle and Arsenal are among the clubs looking into Napoli attacker and Mexico international Hirving “Chucky” Lozano as a possible addition to bolster their offenses.

Napoli currently sit in the first place in Serie A five points clear of their most immediate pursuer, and rumors about a potential sale of premier striker Victor Osimhen pop up daily. Osimhen was purchased for €85M in 2020 while Lozano is a €50M addition from the 2019 window.

It is hard to see any team ponying up such amounts to poach them from Napoli in the middle of the season, though, so odds are both remain in Italy at least until the summer.

What did we miss? And what do we do with Martin Dubravka now that he’s been recalled from his loan spell at Manchester United?

If you have any thoughts or have been seeing other possible transfers let us know in the comments section below!