Newcastle United are reportedly looking to offload Ryan Fraser and Karl Darlow before the end of the January transfer window.
This season has seen the Tyneside club cement themselves in the race to land a Champions League place by the end of the campaign, having picked up 38 points from their first 19 games.
Now in the midst of another transfer window, some behind-the-scenes details have emerged regarding the current situation at St. James’ Park.
According to a recent report from The Athletic, Fraser is free to leave the club this month, although a lack of offers for him and Darlow could have an impact on Newcastle’s chances of bringing new players in before the window closes.
The report also adds that while the Magpies would prefer to sell Fraser permanently, they would be willing to loan him out and make space in the squad for them to target a new defensive-midfield signing.
This season has seen the winger make just eight league appearances for Newcastle, the latest in which coming back in October against Everton.
This highlights how far down the pecking order Fraser, who has been described as a ‘good little player‘, is and why Eddie Howe sees him as someone the club can look to let go of this month.
Do Newcastle need to sign new players this month?
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Then with Darlow, the fact that Newcastle currently have four goalkeepers on their books makes it easy to see why he is facing the exit door as well as Fraser.
With Nick Pope playing every minute of league action for Howe’s side this season, even an injury to the 30-year-old wouldn’t guarantee Darlow a chance at playing given the other options in the squad such as Martin Dubravka and Mark Gillespie.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the winter transfer window, if Newcastle can secure moves out of the club for the likes of Fraser, Darlow and any other player Howe sees as being surplus to requirements, this should clear the way for the Toon to bring in whatever new players they see fit.