Newcastle United are quietly preparing another bold move in the transfer market, this time with their eyes on a Premier League defender who has found himself pushed to the sidelines at his current club.
With the season starting to pile up with pressure and injuries, the club’s recruitment team appears ready to act again in January as they look for solutions that can strengthen Eddie Howe’s squad for the challenges ahead.
Supporters were already given something to celebrate as Yoane Wissa finally made his long-awaited debut for the club. After signing from Brentford in the summer for around £55 million, expectations were high, but a difficult injury picked up on international duty meant that fans had to be patient.
The last few months have been frustrating for the forward, who was forced to watch from the sidelines while getting to know the squad only in training sessions. When he finally stepped on the pitch at St James’ Park against Burnley, the moment clearly meant a lot to him.
After the final whistle, Wissa admitted that he had been dreaming of this day for weeks. He explained how the last eleven weeks gave him the chance to understand how the team works, how the players interact, and what is expected from him in Eddie Howe’s system.
Hearing his name read out to thousands of fans gave him goosebumps, and he made it clear that he believed this season could still become a very special one for the club. He talked with excitement about the talent in the squad and his hope of contributing in a meaningful way.
Eddie Howe, while pleased to finally give Wissa his debut, stressed that the player still needs time. The head coach admitted that Wissa has “a lot more work to do” before reaching his top level.
With so many matches squeezed into a short period, it has become harder for the coaching staff to give individual players long training sessions to build sharpness.
Howe described the situation as a delicate balance, saying that the team must keep Wissa fit while also pushing him slowly towards full speed. Despite the challenge, the manager sounded confident that they would find the right way to bring out the best in him.
While one signing is settling into life on Tyneside, another could soon be on his way. Reports now claim that Newcastle are planning a concrete move for Chelsea defender Axel Disasi in the upcoming January transfer window.
After joining Chelsea for £38.5 million, the French centre-back was expected to be part of the club’s long-term rebuild, but things have not worked out that way this season.
Under Enzo Maresca, Disasi has been completely frozen out, training away from the main squad and placed among the players the club is prepared to move on.
For Newcastle, the opportunity is too good to ignore. With Sven Botman still battling injury problems, the defence has lacked the stability the team enjoyed last year.
Botman, when fit, is one of the best defenders in the league, but his recurring fitness issues have made him unreliable as a regular starter. Malick Thiaw has stepped in well and is beginning to grow into the role, yet the team still needs another strong and experienced defender who can partner him consistently. Disasi fits that profile perfectly.
Jamie Carragher previously described Disasi as a “brilliant” defender, praising his physicality, his ability to read danger early, and his comfort on the ball.
Even though he has not played a single minute this season for Chelsea, his quality is not in doubt. What he needs now is a fresh start, and Newcastle could be the place where he finds it.
A move to St James’ Park would allow him to rebuild his confidence, work under a coach who values players with his attributes, and compete in a system that demands bravery, aggression, and composure.
If Newcastle can secure the deal, it would not only strengthen the defence but also give Howe more options as the season becomes more demanding.
With Champions League football, domestic fixtures, and the pressure to stay competitive in the Premier League, depth in key positions is essential. Disasi is hungry to play again, and Newcastle could be the club that gives him exactly that opportunity.
