Newcastle’s hopes of signing Dominic Solanke and Kalvin Phillips in the upcoming January transfer window appear to be dashed.

Dominic Solanke, the star striker of AFC Bournemouth, had a reason to celebrate on December 23, 2023. He scored his team’s second goal in a thrilling Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at City Ground. This victory was a testament to Solanke’s skill and contribution to the team’s success.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United is facing significant challenges in the transfer window. They are struggling to secure signings due to Financial Fair Play regulations. Despite having the backing of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the club is hamstrung. Manager Eddie Howe has openly admitted that Newcastle has no money and no friends, making it difficult for them to bring in new players. Even the possibility of signing someone like Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth seems out of reach. Newcastle is now exploring loan options, but it appears that nobody is willing to do them any favors. Their pursuit of Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips is also proving to be a challenge, as the Treble winners are demanding a loan fee of over £7 million, a sum that Newcastle is hesitant to spend.

In other news, Jesse Lingard, the former Manchester United and Nottingham Forest forward, is still struggling to find a new club. Lingard has recently parted ways with his agents, as he has been unable to secure a move since leaving Forest in July. Despite being linked with clubs like Everton, Lingard’s future remains uncertain. A move to either Major League Soccer or the Saudi Pro League seems more likely at this point. Lingard’s last professional appearance was a brief cameo against his former club, Manchester United, in April 2023. After becoming a free agent in July 2022, Lingard opted to sign a one-year contract with Forest, but the move did not pan out as expected, leading to his release after failing to score in 17 league games. Lingard has since trained with Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, managed by Steven Gerrard, and has been linked with a move to the United States, but nothing concrete has materialized yet.

Moving on, Chelsea is facing a battle in their pursuit of 16-year-old Brazilian talent Estevao Willian. The winger, nicknamed “Messinho” for his technical similarities to Lionel Messi, has a hefty release clause of £51.5 million. Barcelona and other clubs are also interested in securing his services. Chelsea is currently in discussions with Palmeiras, Willian’s current club, but reaching the release clause seems unlikely for any potential suitors. Willian made his senior debut for Palmeiras in December, becoming the club’s fourth-youngest player in history. His talent and potential have caught the attention of top clubs across Europe.

Lastly, Manchester United’s potential transfer of Alvaro Fernandez to Benfica could pave the way for a move for VfB Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy. Fernandez, a left-back, is reportedly close to completing a permanent transfer to the Portuguese club. United may use the funds from this deal to bolster their attacking options before the January transfer deadline. Manager Erik ten Hag is in desperate need of more goals from his squad, as several senior players have underperformed in the final third this season. Guirassy’s impressive goal-scoring record has attracted attention from clubs across Europe, and United could be considering a swoop for the talented striker.