Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez is preparing to shuffle his deck in January and is looking to offload as many as six players in the New Year.
The Evening Chronicle reports that goalkeeper Karl Darlow, midfielder Jack Colback, striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and young Freddie Woodman are all poised for an exit, the latter looking for first-team experience on-loan.
Two surprising names on the list are striker Dwight Gayle, who has scored just once in the Premier League this season, and defender Chancel Mbemba, who has failed to prove himself fully to Rafael Benitez.
The report states that only one of Mitrovic and Gayle is likely to leave but an exit for the more experienced forward seems most likely, given his struggles in the top-flight and the lack of development he provides.
Mitrovic, in comparison, is just 23 and is keen for regular first-team football. If he were to leave, then he’s the sort o player who could come back to haunt the Magpies in the future if he were to join a fellow Premier League side.
The news should be received well by Newcastle fans though as it shows Benitez has a plan to improve the squad in the New Year and that it doesn’t rely on a takeover being completed.
