Newcastle United reportedly hold a high interest in a particularly promising talent from Spain ahead of the transfer deadline.
Howe drops transfer update before January deadline
In the summer, Newcastle recruited both Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa to bolster their striking strength in the absence of Alexander Isak.
The pair have each shown flashes of brilliance, but it is apparent that the Magpies have little depth beyond the duo. William Osula has received minimal minutes this season and Newcastle have been continuously linked with new attackers.
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He has enjoyed a strong season in the Championship
So far, it has been a quiet winter for Newcastle however, no doubt partly due to their heavy spending spree in the summer. Manager Eddie Howe has, more than once, been critical of the Profit and Sustainability Rules that have hampered his team’s ability to spend in the market.
Having previously downplayed the chance of new signings, Howe remains in the same vein of thinking ahead of the deadline on the 2nd February, reinforcing that the club are unable to operate at full capacity this month ahead of the trip to Liverpool.
“I don’t anticipate that changing but with time left there’s still the time for that to be the case.”
Despite the 48-year-old’s lack of optimism, his side have now been linked with making a late move for an immensely talented prospect.
Newcastle monitoring promising Barcelona talent
As per Sport Witness, Newcastle are continuously searching Europe for young talents with lots of potential. It now appears that Barcelona midfielder Guille Fernandez is the latest target being pursued by Newcastle, who hold a “significant” interest in the teenager.
Barcelona fans together.
Just 17 years old, Fernandez, who shares the same agent as Lamine Yamal, joined the famed La Masia academy in 2018 and has steadily progressed in his development. In 2024, scout Jacek Kulig described the midfielder as a “magnificent” player.
The midfielder was involved in Barcelona’s pre-season tour, only to suffer an ankle injury early in Barcelona B’s campaign. Due to this, Fernandez has made just six starts across all competitions so far this season.
Fernandez is evidently a technically gifted player, something he proved in pre-season. A highly-regarded prospect in Catalonia, Newcastle’s interest in the midfielder is understandable, but they are not the only club to be monitoring Fernandez. German giants Borussia Dortmund are also, reportedly, interested in the teenager.
Despite Newcastle’s interest, they may find a deal nigh-on impossible to complete ahead of the window slamming shut. Reportedly, Barcelona have told Fernandez that he will not be leaving the club this winter, a testament to the esteem they hold the midfielder in.
Fernandez would certainly be an exciting addition for the Magpies, but it seems the Tyneside club will have to look elsewhere if they hope to add depth to their midfield.