Newcastle are not ‘guaranteed survival’ with Guimaraes and co – pundit

Lewis Oldham
Sutton on Newcastle buys

Newcastle United now have a better squad but their new signings do not “guarantee them survival”, according to Chris Sutton.

As expected, Eddie Howe’s side were busy during the January transfer window. They spent big to sign Bruno Guimaraes and Chris Wood from Lyon and Burnley respectively.

They have also brought in three defenders as they signed Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Targett.


Newcastle United have a mixed bag…and that’s probably enough


The Magpies currently sit 18th in the Premier League. They are one point adrift of safety but they have a game in hand over Norwich, who are 17th in the table.

Newcastle’s first league game after the winter break is at home against Everton on February 8.

Sutton believes Howe would have hoped to attract “more players” during January:

“I think that if you are saying, ‘Are these players an upgrade on what they have got?’ I think they are. No surprise to see Newcastle doing business,” Sutton said (via The Monday Night Club).

“I think they are better with these players in the team. Does it guarantee Newcastle survival? Absolutely not.

“[Kieran] Trippier was a big deal. I think Eddie Howe would have hoped he could have attracted more players.

“The truth is, Chris Wood is a necessary signing but you can’t say if you are a Newcastle fan you are going to be overly excited by that but if he gets the goals that keep Newcastle in the division it will be a good signing.

“[Bruno] Guimarães seems to have had rave reviews and looks to be an upgrade, I like [Matt] Targett. I thought he did pretty well at Aston Villa but with [Lucas] Digne coming in he wants to go and play so I think that is good business.”

Elsewhere, Newcastle were ‘very close to finding a financial agreement’ with Stade Reims to sign Hugo Ekitike.

They prioritised signing Ekitike from Ligue 1 club Reims and had a number of offers turned down for the 19-year-old.

It was revealed on Monday that a deal to bring the teenager to St James’ Park had collapsed with the player also linked with West Ham.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that Newcastle were ‘very close’ to striking a deal for Ekitike after ‘pulling out all the stops’, as per L’Union (via Sport Witness).

Reims stood firm, however, with their president Jean-Pierre Caillot revealing that the Geordies’ offer was ‘close to their wishes’.