Newcastle United are looking ahead to a potentially busy January transfer window, with a midfielder and a defender seemingly on the radar, but with other Premier League clubs also hovering
Luke Thrower Trends Writer
16:01, 03 Dec 2025
Dominik Szoboszlai.(Image: Getty Images)
The January transfer window is only a few weeks away, and for Newcastle United, it could offer a chance to strengthen the team in search of a European finish in the Premier League.
The Magpies got off to a slow start under Eddie Howe, as they sit in mid-table – a last-gasp 2-2 draw with Tottenham the latest effort in stopping the side from gaining momentum.
However, with the league wide open this season, plus the challenge of balancing the Champions League with the other competitions, it’s clear that maximising the squad will be the key towards a successful campaign.
Seven players joined in the summer transfer window, with Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw the main standouts, though more could still be done.
With that in mind, the business in January could move Newcastle closer to getting a squad capable of competing every weekend and in midweek at the highest level, and two players appear to be lined up to help with that.
According to TeamTalk, the club are eyeing up a move for Alex Toth, a young Hungarian midfielder who is already making an impact for both club and country.
Anderson Talisca (C) of Fenerbahce in action against Alex Toth (64) during the UEFA Europa League clash between Fenerbahce and Ferencvaros
The 20-year-old has consistently featured for Ferencvaros, while he already has nine appearances for the Hungarian national team, having only made his senior debut for the team earlier this year.
Toth has drawn comparisons to his fellow countryman Dominik Szoboszlai, who has been a standout for Liverpool since his move to the Premier League, resulting in Newcastle taking note, alongside their league rivals Brighton and Hove Albion.
The report claims that the midfielder is valued at €8-15m (£7-13m), which would be a record sale for a Hungarian club, but it would be a drop in the ocean for the Premier League sides who are looking for value, not least a young star who could be worth much more if he progresses.
Toth isn’t the only player that Newcastle have been linked with, however, as fresh links have also appeared over a potential bid for a defender in the coming weeks.
That’s because, according to A Bola, the Magpies are among a clutch of teams looking at a potential deal to sign Ousmane Diomande, as uncertainty continues over his future with Sporting CP.
Sporting CP center-back Ousmane Diomande.(Image: Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
The 21-year-old has been a regular for Sporting in recent seasons, though his current refusal to sign a new contract is creating a standoff, with the expiration in 2027 causing some concern.
With the deal hurtling towards the final year, Newcastle are joined by Crystal Palace and Manchester United in holding interest in the Ivorian international.
The possible signings of Diomande and Toth would represent quality for the current team, while also adding some value for the future, with their ages representing room for growth.
Howe recently revealed that no talks have been held with the recruitment team over the plan for January, but revealed that there were plans to in the near future.
He said: “No, we haven’t had discussions yet, but we will and we will very soon because we need to be across everything that’s going to happen in January. We never quite know what the month will look like.
“You can have a vision of it being quiet or the opposite, and the reality can be very different. So we need to be across it. We need to be prepared for all eventualities.
“Always would love, whether that’s bringing someone in, always keep the squad fresh. And that will be a feeling that you have from within.
“Every window our outlook is to be active. How that looks, I’ve got no idea. Finances, I haven’t had those discussions yet. But we will do in the next few days.”
