Newcastle United are unlikely to spend big on a replacement for banned midfielder Sandro Tonali in January, sources have told Football.
Tonali, 23, has been banned from football for 10 months after breaching betting rules during his time in Italy.
It is believed Newcastle will be in the market for a new midfield option in the winter window, which opens on 1 January.
The likes of Fulham star Joao Palhinha, Everton’s Amadou Onana and Man United ace Scott McTominay have all been widely linked with St James’ Park switches in recent days.
However, a well-placed source has told Football Insider that those names are simply not realistic – with the transfer budget not likely to stretch that far in January.
Newcastle remain in a delicate situation after running into Financial Fair Play problems during the summer.
Football Insider revealed on Thursday (26 October) that Eddie Howe’s side were forced to pull the plug on deals for a new centre-back and attacker due to FFP restrictions.
Palhinha has only recently signed a new contract at Fulham after seeing a deadline-day move to Bayern Munich collapse.
Onana is valued highly at Everton – who are looking to avoid relegation to the Championship once again in the 2023-24 campaign.
Finally, McTominay is working his way back into Erik ten Hag’s plans at Old Trafford after being widely linked with a move to West Ham in the summer window.
Howe’s side sit sixth in the Premier League on 16 points despite recent injuries to the likes of Sven Botman and Harvey Barnes – which will now be compounded by Tonali’s suspension.
The Magpies are next in action against Wolves on Saturday (28 October).
In other news, Newcastle could sign Darwin Nunez ally in real bargain.
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