Lots of Newcastle United fans have been in discussion on social media, debating if the Toon would actually be any stronger if the club were to pull of January deals for AC Milan’s Krzysztof Piatek and RB Leipzig’s Ademola Lookman.
Reports by the Northern Echo earlier in the week suggested the club hope to land a January deal for Piatek, after the Poland striker grew unsettled at the San Siro following the return of Swedish great Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Piatek had previously expressed desires to challenge Ibrahimovic for minutes under Stefano Pioli, but the 24-year-old has now accepted that he will have to leave the Rossoneri this month to safeguard his place in Poland’s Euro 2020 squad.
Milan were also said to be willing to listen to offers for the forward signed for £30.9million a year ago, though we would face competition in our efforts to secure a loan-to-buy deal with Aston Villa and Bayern Munich also in the hunt.
More recent reports in Italy have put a further dent in our bid to acquire Piatek, as Calciomercato understand Tottenham Hotspur have identified the striker as an option to cover for Harry Kane while the England captain is out injured and head coach Jose Mourinho is keen on the deal.
Piatek is also said to not be keen on the idea of joining Newcastle, Aston Villa or Bayer Leverkusen as the projects are not to his liking, and will hold out for a more suitable destination.
But things are slightly rosier when it comes to our efforts to sign former Everton winger Lookman, as Football Insider understand there has been a breakthrough in negotiations between the Toon and Bundesliga side RB Leipzig over a loan-to-buy deal.
Would the January window be a success with Lookman and Piatek?
Yes
No
Newcastle appear set to welcome the 22-year-old to St. James’ Park on loan until the end of the season, when the club will have the chance to turn the Charlton Athletic product’s stint on Tyneside into a permanent arrangement.
United are confident a deal for Lookman can be finalised in the coming days, as the forward Leipzig signed for £22.5m last summer has given the green light to becoming a Magpie.
Should the deal go through, it would surely delight some of the St. James’ Park faithful who feel landing Lookman would go a long way in making January a successful window for the club…
add a quality playmaker also and then it would be a good window.
— wayne (@waynewonder81) January 8, 2020
Definitely
— Mark Doyle (@Doyler88kek) January 8, 2020
Yes, once everyone’s fully fit again our team on paper is very good, striker is needed defo
— Jack (@Jack__1955) January 8, 2020
Be amazed if both deals happen , Piatek looks a quality striker. Here’s hoping 🤞
— Bruceypaddy (@bruceypaddy) January 8, 2020
That would be a great window, those 2 would deliver on their “quality over quantity” stance, 2 players that will improve us, especially Piatek
— Tom Fry (@TomFry9) January 8, 2020
Potentially two very good signings, but I still feel we’d be short in central midfield, particularly if Ki goes
— Callum Irving (@NUFCIrving1010) January 8, 2020
Piatek is the perfect poacher to complement Joelinton. Play a 4231, Piatek upfront with Joe at CAM, Almiron and ASM on Wings, CDM you have Hayden, Longstaffs, Shelvey, and maybe even Schar. Back 4 can stay the same majorly. Think Piatek would be the perfect signing.
— Kieran R (@DarkandBrisingr) January 8, 2020
Both look good on paper and should give great options up front. Still worry they’re overlooking the midfield issue again… We’re desperate for that holding midfielder who has the ability to dictate games and control tempo.
— Andy (@AndyNUFC78) January 8, 2020
Piatek’s link up/build up play is average at best. If we’re going to spend upwards of 30 mil on him we need to make sure we can change our style of play otherwise it won’t end well.
— James (@j_mitchell92) January 8, 2020
I’m not sure I want Piatek, as much as I am a fan. He is a poacher who thrives on service. I’m not sure we can provide that. We need a striker to suit the system.
— Jacob Jackman (@JakeJackmann) January 8, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club are claimed to be working on a deal to sign a £5.4m-rated defender this month.