OPINION
Newcastle United fans may be disappointed to hear that the club are likely to be done with their transfer business after confirming two new arrivals on deadline day.
Record signing Miguel Almiron has been signed from Atlanta United on a five-and-a-half year deal, while Antonio Barreca arrives from Monaco on a loan until the summer.
More activity had been anticipated from the Magpies, with manager Rafa Benitez known to be targeting another midfielder, but as we approach the 11pm deadline, any further deals now look unlikely, as reported by Sky journalist Keith Downie.
Newcastle haven’t confirmed they’re done, but you’d have to think any further additions very unlikely now. But Rafa still beavering away in his office… 👓 👔 🖊 #NUFC
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) January 31, 2019
The player most heavily linked with a move to the Magpies this month has been Benfica midfielder Andreas Samaris, but the Greece international looks likely to pen a new deal in Lisbon.
While Samaris, or any other midfielder arriving may have been keenly anticipated on Tyneside, the collapse of such a deal may not be such a bad thing after all.
Should that move have gone through then Samaris would likely have taken the place of youngster Sean Longstaff in midfield, with his vast experience making him a likely starter in the run-in.
However, Longstaff has been one of the club’s most impressive performers in recent weeks, and seeing him ousted by a new signing would not have been all it was cracked up to be.
Longstaff is a local lad who is exceeding all expectations with his performances this season, and to see him shunted back to the bench would be a real shame.
There is no reason why the 21-year-old cannot continue this form and play a huge part in the club’s efforts to avoid relegation in one of the stories of the season for the Magpies.
The only way that can happen in the coming months is if Newcastle do not sign another midfielder, and fans should therefore not be too disappointed with that.
