Seven Newcastle United stars on notice as Eddie Howe faces key January transfer decisions

As always, the January transfer window will provide an interesting insight into who will benefit and who will falter in the second half of the season.

Newcastle United have been active since the close of the previous window, announcing the signing of Georgian striker Vakhtang Salia from Dinamo Tbilisi for August 2025. The Magpies missed out on a couple of targets in the summer and could go back in from January.

However, more incomings might depend on the profit and sustainability (PSR) rules. This could mean that outgoings are needed before Eddie Howe can look at players to strengthen the squad.

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So, which players could leave St James' Park this winter? ChronicleLive takes a look at seven possible departures from the North East...

Miguel Almiron

During the summer, Almiron was a name continuously linked with a move away from Newcastle United. The attacking midfielder has had interest from several MLS teams , which would have seen him make his return to the American league.

He has only made seven appearances this season, completing a full 90-minute game just once - in the Carabao Cup against AFC Wimbledon. Howe has preferred to use Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon in the right-wing position, only starting the 30-year-old once in the league.

If Almiron was to depart St James Park, it would open up the likelihood of bringing in an attacking wide midfielder that could provide a little bit of freshness to the squad. It would allow for to update the position for the first time since the 2021 takeover..

Despite wanting to stay and fight for his place, January might provide the perfect opportunity for Almiron to search for first-team football in pastures new. Newcastle would require a fee for the player, whose contract runs out in the summer of 2026.

Callum Wilson

The striker's future at the club brings up an interesting debate. On one hand, Wilson has struggled for fitness and for game time, not appearing in matchday squad once this season.

Newcastle's number nine is, however, in the final stages of his recovery and will provide good back-up, alongside Will Osula, to Aleksander Isak. The club could look at offloading the England international in an attempt to and a younger talent to the attacking line-up.

With Wilson's contract up at the end of the season, he is free to start talks with teams abroad or possibly secure his first-team future elsewhere. He is certainly one player to keep an eye on during January as his return to the team could help with the decision.

Jacob Murphy

The start to Murphy's 2024/25 season saw him appear in ever one of the Magpies' Premier League fixtures up until the 2-1 win against Arsenal earlier this month. He missed the game due to a slight hamstring issue and retuned to the matchday squad for the next game at Nottingham Forest - but did not come off the bench.

Even though the winger has made nine league appearances so far, he has only played the full 90 in two of them. Murphy continues to find himself below Harvey Barnes and Gordon in the pecking order.

The 29-year-old's contract at the club runs until 2027, but regular football could be a priority for the Wembley-born player. Like Almiron, his departure would allow Howe to freshen up on the wings.

Odysseas Vlachodimos

Vlachodimos signed in the summer from fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest, but has failed to make an impact so far St James Park. The goalkeeper has only made one appearance, replacing Nick Pope at half time of the Carabao Cup win against AFC Wimbledon.

He has enjoyed playing every minute in Greece's recent Nations League campaign, where they finished just behind England in second place. However, Martin Dubravka is often preferred as Pope's understudy.

Already, it seems that 30-year-old could possibly be a player that leaves the North East in January either on loan or even permanently. It would provide some space in the squad to either add some quality or depth.

Matt Targett

It seems like the writing is on the wall when it comes to the Newcastle future of Targett. Since joining the club, he has made sporadic appearances but only took to the pitch three times last campaign.

So far this term, the left-back, who has spent some time on the sideline, has only played once against Sunderland U21 in Premier League 2. Targett faces some tough competition with Dan Burn and recent England debutant Lewis Hall fighting it out for the starting sport.

Despite having a contract until 2026, it could be best for all parties to part ways in January and allow the former Aston Villa man a chance to search for regular football. His experience and knowhow would make him the perfect solution and likely for a reduced fee.

Emil Krafth

The 30-year-old has recently just picked up a collar bone injury that will keep him out until the start of 2025. This will mean that he will be lacking match sharpness when the transfer window.

However, Krafth has played six times this season, providing back-up at right-back and centre-back. He has also won two caps for Sweden since the start of the season but missed the September fixtures.

A move, whether temporary and permanent, in the new year could help the versatile defender continue to plead his case for the starting spot for his country. With Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento, it is likely that Krafth will struggle for game time when he returns for injury.

Jamaal Lascelles

The club captain has yet to appear in a matchday squad for Newcastle this season. He played 26 times last term, but his season was brought to an abrupt end in April when the defender suffered an ACL injury.

Alongside Sven Botman, who suffered the same injury, he is nearing his return to fitness. However, with the centre-back position providing some competition, a move could be on the cards in January.

Howe could find a loan move for the 31-year-old to allow him to gain some much need first-team minutes elsewhere. Lascelles would then be ready, as long as he stays injury-free, to return to the fold ahead of the 2025/25 campaign.