Newcastle United appear ready to step into the January market with intent, as the club grows increasingly serious about making an offer for a young midfielder who has already caught the attention of some of the biggest sides in Europe.
With competition rising and several internal concerns needing to be addressed, the timing could not be more important.
This season, Sandro Tonali has been one of the standout figures in Eddie Howe’s midfield. His impact has drawn admiration from across the football world, and Paul Scholes even sparked debate when he publicly rated Tonali above Declan Rice back in October.
Scholes praised the Italian’s intelligence, technical ability, and control, admitting that while Rice is an excellent all-rounder, Tonali offers a level of sharpness and decision-making that he personally values more.
These comments only strengthened the growing appreciation for the midfielder, who has now become a vital piece of Newcastle’s structure, starting regularly and delivering consistently across 19 appearances in all competitions.
But while Tonali continues to shine, not every partnership in the middle of the pitch has looked as stable. Joelinton, who has been a warrior for the club in past seasons, faced criticism for his recent performance in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
His struggles have raised questions about the balance of the midfield and whether reinforcements are necessary if Newcastle want to remain competitive through the second half of the campaign. With injuries, fatigue, and form all playing a role, the January window looks like an opportunity the club cannot afford to let pass quietly.
That is where Ferencvaros midfielder Alex Toth enters the conversation. Newcastle are now weighing up a potential January bid for the Hungarian talent, who is valued at around £13.5 million.
The interest is not casual either; the club’s recruitment team have been tracking his progress closely, and the level of competition around him suggests they must act early if they want to secure him.
Toth has not gone unnoticed by Europe’s heavyweights. Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Borussia Dortmund have all been monitoring his development, with scouts impressed by both his maturity and his versatility despite only being 20 years old.
He plays with a confidence beyond his age, drifting across the pitch as a true box-to-box midfielder, showing intelligence in possession and a natural instinct for creating chances.
His numbers for Ferencvaros already paint an encouraging picture four goals and fifteen assists in fifty-six appearances. For a midfielder who is still in the early stages of his professional journey, those contributions highlight just how quickly he is growing.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig described him as a “roaming playmaker,” praising his ability to dictate tempo, carry the ball forward, and find dangerous passes between the lines. What makes the interest from Newcastle even more intriguing is the comparison Kulig made between Toth and Tonali, calling them similar in style.
For a young player to be likened to someone of Tonali’s quality is a major compliment and perhaps one of the reasons the PIF ownership sees real value in the transfer.
Toth’s performances have not just been impressive in domestic action. He earned major praise earlier this season for a standout showing against Genk in the Europa League, proving he can rise to tougher challenges and adapt to the higher pace of European competition.
Matches like that are often used as benchmarks for young players, and by that measure, Toth looks more than ready for a move to one of Europe’s top five leagues.
For Newcastle, the fee makes the situation even more appealing. In a market where young midfield talents often sell for inflated sums, £13.5 million represents a rare opportunity to secure genuine potential without major financial risk.
With the club looking to strengthen depth, regain control in key matches, and keep their ambitions for a top-four push alive, a signing like Toth could bring new energy and help ease the load on the current squad.
But the biggest reason Newcastle may push forward quickly is the competition. With interest already coming from elite European clubs, delaying the decision could allow rivals to move ahead.
For a player this talented, available at such a reasonable price, hesitation could prove costly.
Newcastle seem to understand that timing matters, and if they want to refresh their midfield and support Tonali properly for the second half of the season, bringing in Alex Toth this January might be the smartest move they make.
