Newcastle United is gearing up for the January transfer window with a strategic focus on strengthening their squad for the long term. While a massive financial outlay isn’t expected, the club is keen on advancing their succession planning in several critical positions.

The recruitment team is eyeing potential additions in midfield, central defense, and full-back areas. There’s an understanding that the squad’s average age needs to be lowered, so the emphasis is on securing young European players with the potential for growth. The term “high ceilings” is frequently mentioned when discussing the type of talent Newcastle aims to bring in.

Among the midfielders catching Newcastle’s attention are Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar, aged 19, Kevin Danois from Auxerre, aged 21, Luciano Valente from Feyenoord, aged 22, and Lamine Camara from Monaco, aged 21. In defense, Toulouse’s 19-year-old Dayann Methalie, who can operate both as a left-back and a center-back, is high on their list of priorities.

With a large squad currently on their hands, Newcastle is also considering potential departures. Jamaal Lascelles is likely to leave in search of more regular playing time. Although Kieran Trippier’s future seemed uncertain before recent defensive injuries, his departure remains a possibility. Joe Willock might only exit if a significant offer comes through, as opposed to a loan deal, but there is interest in him.

Despite some external speculation about Fabian Schar’s potential move in the new year had he remained out of the lineup, sources confirm that he will not be leaving, especially since he is now one of only two fit defenders in the team.

Auxerre attacking midfielder Kevin Danois, 21, is on Newcastle’s list of potential targets

You can add Dayann Methalie (right) to that list as the Magpies look to reduce their squad’s average age

Monaco’s Lamine Camara, seen here battling with Ilkay Gundogan in the Champions League earlier this season, is also being monitored

Could a new January signing be in the cards?

Newcastle have a recall clause in the loan deal of Matt Targett at Middlesbrough, and Eddie Howe said this week he could explore the option.

However, as it stands, Confidential understands it is more likely than not he will remain on Teesside. The situation could change as we move through January, but the thought process for now is that Newcastle are hopeful of having the likes of Sven Botman, Trippier and Emil Krafth available in the new year.

The hamstring concern that kept Lewis Hall out of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win over Fulham is not serious and he should feature against Chelsea on Saturday. Howe was also impressed by Alex Murphy when he came on at left back in midweek.

And the news on Dan Burn’s rib and lung injuries, revealed by Daily Mail Sport this week, means that his four-to-six week absence could have him back in action by the end of next month.

On Botman, Confidential understands he is making good progress from a back complaint and, while Howe has put no timeframe on his return, late December/early January was mentioned earlier in the week.

Meanwhile, news is still awaited on the severity of Tino Livramento’s knee injury suffered against Fulham. He is almost certain to miss the visit of Chelsea on Saturday but further tests before the weekend will give a clearer picture on his anticipated return date.

Osula on the comeback trail 

Will Osula will have the protective boot on his injured ankle removed this week and he should be available by the second week in January, Confidential can reveal.

The striker has not featured since November 2 having shown promise during the early months of the season. His absence will extend to more than two months by the time he does return.

Osula remains a target for several clubs at home and abroad, but talk from Germany of a deal being agreed with Eintracht Frankfurt earlier this month was wide of the mark. There have been no fresh talks. However, the Bundesliga club, who nearly signed the Dane in the summer, retain a strong interest.

Will Osula (right) made a fine start to the season before getting injured but should be back in action by mid-January

Fulham crash out – on and off the pitch 

Fulham’s team bus crashed as it left St James’ Park on Wednesday night – but Marco Silva and his players were NOT on board. The coach had only just dropped the squad at the players’ entrance 90 minutes before kick-off when it attempted to leave the stadium area via Strawberry Place.

However, the bus collided with a parked van and was forced to stop while the damage was assessed. No one was thought to be hurt during the incident and the coach was able to collect the team post-match, albeit with a few scrapes as a souvenir from its trip to Tyneside.

German trains – not as good as you might think… 

Sticking with transport, a lighter moment from Newcastle’s trip to Leverkusen last week. After the game, Geordie fans travelling to Dusseldorf and Cologne waited for their trains on opposite platforms. A rivalry ensued with chants of ‘Who are ya?’ being sent back and forth across the track.

However, the Cologne contingent had the last laugh when their train arrived first and the Dusseldorf service failed to show, meaning fans had to compete for taxis to complete the 20-mile journey back to their hotels.

Saudis’ fresh cash injection into ‘special’ Newcastle 

Newcastle’s owners have taken their total investment in the club to north of £800million this week.

A £45m cash injection has landed in the club accounts ahead of the January transfer window. The sum is thought to cover all running costs, with work continuing on training-ground improvements. There is also talk of academy upgrades.

It means that, since the £305m takeover of the club in 2021, a further £500m has now been invested by the ownership by way of cash injections. The current ownership split sees PIF with an 85 per cent stake and the Reuben family with the remaining 15 per cent.

When I asked new CEO David Hopkinson this month if PIF were still committed to Newcastle, given their ever-expanding sporting portfolio, he said: ‘I truly believe in my heart of hearts that we are their favourite investment. I think we take up so much of their shared mind and heart, way more than would be warranted given the size of the investment.

‘I feel like we’re a special investment to them. I feel that, not because they tell me that, but because they show me that. I’m talking to the PIF every single day.’

Saint Nick’s still a hit 

Newcastle staff are on the lookout for a mischievous Christmas card sent to Nick Woltemade by Sunderland fans.

Addressed to the German striker at the club’s Darsley Park training ground, Sunderland fanzine A Love Supreme have arranged for the delivery in which they thank him for the own goal that settled Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby.

Woltemade, though, felt the love of the Toon Army when he came on against Fulham on Wednesday. Only the cheers for Newcastle’s two goals were louder than the one which greeted the 23-year-old, whose name soon rang out around St James’ Park.

I asked Howe about the reception afterwards and he said the club’s fans have a unique sense of knowing what their players need and when they need it. There was no finer example of that than Woltemade’s welcome-home roar.

Nick Woltemade heads into his own net – the only goal of the game as Newcastle lost to Sunderland last weekend 

But the German striker was given a warm reception by the Toon Army when he came on against Fulham on Wednesday night

Welcome, back Local Hero 

It was interesting to hear Local Hero climb back to No 1 in the pre-match playlist in midweek. Blaydon Races and Hey Jude had moved above the traditional walkout music of late, but it was the Mark Knopfler classic ringing out as the teams exchanged handshakes.

Newcastle’s senior leadership group are now responsible for the order of the pre-game music, and they clearly felt another change was needed. It worked!

The divide-crossers 

Finally, the answer to last week’s Toon Teaser before a break for Christmas. We asked you, can you name the TWENTY players to have appeared for Newcastle and Sunderland since 1992-93?

They were: Patrick van Aanholt, Paul Bracewell, Titus Bramble, Michael Bridges, Steven Caldwell, Michael Chopra, Lee Clark, Jack Colback, Andy Cole, Robbie Elliott, Shay Given, David Kelly, Kazenga LuaLua, Javier Manquillo, Daryl Murphy, Danny Rose, Louis Saha, Danny Simpson, Ki Sung-yueng and DeAndre Yedlin.