Sporting director Paul Mitchell has Eddie Howe’s January wishlist in hand, but it is his responsibility to ensure Newcastle has the best chance of securing European football after narrowly missing out last season.

Mitchell must navigate PSR (Profitability and Sustainability Regulations), as it is expected that Newcastle will need to offload players before making significant signings.

The club managed to avoid a points deduction for the season by selling Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh, a decision that displeased Howe.

However, there are several players who could leave in January. MLS club Charlotte FC is interested in Miguel Almiron, who came close to leaving in the summer.

Newcastle is reportedly asking for £8 million for Almiron, who also has loan interest from Premier League clubs.

Martin Dubravka might also depart, with a potential move to the Saudi Pro League in the works. The 35-year-old has started the last three games for Newcastle, keeping two clean sheets.

Additionally, one of Newcastle’s previous summer targets, Benfica defender Antonio Silva, is reportedly unhappy at his current club. Silva was linked to Newcastle in 2023, but a move was hindered by his £85 million price tag.

Silva, who has made just six appearances in Liga Portugal this season, is said to be frustrated with his reduced playing time.

Newcastle remains interested, and it’s believed they made a €50 million (£41.4 million) offer in the summer, which was rejected by Benfica.

Juventus is also monitoring the situation, though a move to Italy appears unlikely for now. Silva is seen by Newcastle as an alternative to Marc Guehi, who stayed at Crystal Palace despite multiple bids from the Magpies.

Despite limited playing time, Silva has impressed with his performances, averaging 74 passes per game with a 91.4% completion rate.

His ability to complete six long balls per game, just shy of Fabian Schar’s 10, makes him an ideal fit for Howe’s system. As Schar is now 33, Silva could be a future replacement for the Swiss international, who has been a key player in Howe’s squad this season.

As the January transfer window nears, Arsenal are reportedly looking to strengthen their squad to maintain their title challenge. One of the players linked to a move to the Emirates is Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has scored an impressive 27 goals in 25 games this season.

The 26-year-old former Coventry City forward is said to be in negotiations with the Gunners, with Sporting reportedly asking for around €65 million (£54 million) for his services.

Paris Saint-Germain is also believed to be preparing a formal offer for Gyokeres, and he has attracted significant interest from various Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, especially following the appointment of Ruben Amorim from Sporting.

Gyokeres, who has a release clause of €100 million, has already generated around £20 million for Coventry through add-ons tied to goals, appearances, and achievements. The Sky Blues also stand to receive 10 percent of the difference between his transfer fee and the final sale price, with a portion of that amount going to his former club, Brighton.

Spanish outlet fichajes.net claims “his goalscoring ability has not gone unnoticed by the main clubs on the continent, and PSG seems willing to lead the race to sign him.”

The report continues: “With obvious problems in finishing in front of goal, the Parisian team considers the Nordic attacker as the ideal solution to reinforce its attack and regain prominence in the Champions League.

“The 26-year-old striker is having a spectacular season in Portugal, consolidating himself as a key player in Sporting’s squad. His physical power, combined with remarkable technique and an innate goal-scoring instinct, have allowed him to stand out not only in his domestic league, but also in European competitions. These attributes have caught the attention of PSG, who are already working on a formal offer to convince both the Lisbon club and the player.

“Sporting, however, are not willing to facilitate his departure. With a contract in force and a high release clause, the Portuguese club want to get the maximum financial benefit from any operation for Gyökeres. The player’s position will also be key: the Swede is comfortable in Lisbon, but the opportunity to make the jump to a giant like PSG could be too tempting to turn down.”

The article concludes: “PSG, aware of the competition for the striker, will spare no resources to secure his signing. The lack of a leading goalscorer has been one of the main criticisms of the Parisian project this season, and Gyökeres is emerging as the ideal candidate to lead the attack. The operation promises to become one of the most notable moves of the next transfer window.”

Liverpool have reportedly identified the asking price for Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro.

The Reds have had no trouble finding the back of the net during the 2024-25 Premier League season, as evidenced by their emphatic 6-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Arne Slot’s team currently leads the table by four points, having scored 37 goals in 16 matches.

Despite this attacking prowess, Mohamed Salah’s future remains uncertain. Although reports suggest positive talks with the star, who boasts 26 goal contributions this season, Liverpool must plan for potential contingencies.

According to Football Insider, Liverpool have learned Brighton’s valuation of Pedro, reportedly set at £60m.

The Brazilian forward joined Brighton for £30m from Watford 18 months ago and has since contributed 24 goals and six assists across 51 appearances, including 19 goals in the Premier League.

While Pedro has a contract with Brighton until 2028, the club has a history of allowing players to leave if their price tag is met.

Liverpool are closely monitoring the 22-year-old’s development, with any move more likely to occur in the summer rather than the January transfer window.

Pedro’s versatility would make him a valuable asset for Liverpool, regardless of Salah’s decision to stay or leave. However, it remains to be seen whether the Reds are willing to meet the £60m asking price for a player who may not be a guaranteed starter.

Notably, Pedro has primarily played as a number 10 at Brighton this season, a position where Slot typically utilizes an attacking midfielder rather than a traditional forward.

From another angle, Pedro could also be considered a younger alternative to Federico Chiesa, who has faced ongoing injury concerns this season.