Despite a disappointing result against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, Newcastle are currently on course to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Indeed, the Magpies are two points clear at the top of the Championship and prior to last weekend were enjoying a run of nine consecutive wins across all competitions.
In a nutshell, Rafa Benitez’s boys are in good stead to claim promotion via the second tier title – which in turn, puts them in an incredibly strong position going into the January transfer window.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed in football but Newcastle can now attract players with essentially the promise of top-flight football, not only strengthening their squad for the second half of the campaign but also preparing it for the competitiveness and quality of the Premier League.
And in FootballFanCast’s opinion, there’s no better place for the Magpies to start their mid-season shopping than the lower end of the Premier League table – most particularly, those players staring relegation in the face who will be keen to start anew in the top flight next summer.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at five relegation-threatened stars Rafa Benitez should target during the January transfer window.
Andrew Robertson
Hull City look set to tumble out of the Premier League with a whimper but there is plenty of talent within their squad; the sheer lack of bodies and depth has been the real cause of the Tigers’ relegation-bound start to the season.
Enter forward-thinking left-back Andrew Robertson, a highly-rated 22-year-old who has consistently impressed since moving to the KCOM Stadium from Dundee United in summer 2014 and is a regular for Scotland with twelve caps to date.
He claimed two goals and four assists as Hull secured promotion via the Championship playoffs last season, also averaging 1.3 created chances and 1.3 successful dribbles-per-match, and would provide a far more adventurous option to Paul Dummett on the left-hand side.
Ki Sung Yueng
Ki Sung Yueng’s been in and out of the Swansea starting XI this season but it wasn’t long ago many considered him to be one of the best midfielders outside of the Premier League’s top six, combining a metronomic passing style with an impressive eight goals during the 2014/15 season.
Rafa Benitez must already feel a little spoilt for choice in the engine room but the South Korean would inject it with real technical quality and has already proved the danger he can cause when linking up with former Swan Jonjo Shelvey.
Furthermore, the 27-year-old is experienced when it comes to relegation battles, not only with Swansea but also Sunderland – who he helped avoid the drop whilst on loan at the Stadium of Light in 2013/14.
Andy Carroll
Newcastle are by no means short of firepower and most expect West Ham to turn their poor start to the campaign around in time to avoid a genuine relegation scrap in the second half of the season.
Nonetheless, Andy Carroll is proving more trouble than he’s worth for the east London club, with injury problems limiting him to just one Premier League appearance so far this season and Slaven Bilic seemingly surrender his faith in the England international.
Few clubs would take the 27-year-old on in his current state but for the Magpies, who nurtured Carroll before selling him on to Liverpool for £30million, he might just be worth the gamble. The prodigal son returns home…
Jason Puncheon
Viewed by Football FanCast as one of the most underrated players in the Premier League, Jason Puncheon would be an absolute steal for the Magpies – especially mid-season.
The 30-year-old isn’t as quick as he once was but remains blessed with two fantastic feet that have seen him thrive in a more central role over the last few campaigns, this season notching up two assists whilst averaging 2.5 created chances per match – the seventh-best return throughout the entire Premier League.
Palace will likely be reluctant to part with their most creative option in the engine room but due to turn 31 before the end of next season and verging upon the final two years of his contract, a decent January bid could oblige Alan Pardew’s side to cash in.
Jordan Rhodes
Middlesbrough players aren’t too popular on Tyneside but at Championship level at least, Jordan Rhodes is one of the best in the business.
Indeed, the Scotland international bagged 91 goals in 187 appearances throughout his second-tier career, including a return of six in 18 to help fire Boro to the top flight last season following three-and-a-half affluent campaigns at Blackburn Rovers.
Fast forward to the current day and Rhodes finds himself stuck behind Alvaro Negredo in Aitor Karanka’s plans, suggesting the Riverside gaffer might be prepared to part with the 26-year-old in the new year. Having acquired him for a whopping £11million, however, Boro certainly won’t let Rhodes leave on the cheap.