Newcastle Duo Set for January Departure

Newcastle United duo, Yoan Gouffran and Mike Williamson, are on the verge of leaving Newcastle, according to various sources.

With the transfer window opening in just over a week, the offloading of these two fringe players will come as welcome news to many Newcastle fans.

Gouffran has appeared in just four Premier League games this season (98 minutes of game time overall), and is most definitely not in manager Steve McClaren’s plans.

Due to the ridiculously long contracts that Newcastle have grown accustomed to handing out at leisure, Gouffran is still contractually tied to the club for another year and a half unless they can shift him. Nonetheless, French media is reporting that a number of Ligue 1 clubs are interested in the former Bordeaux man.

One of the clubs said to have approached Newcastle are Yohan Cabaye’s old club Lille, with France Football reporting that a £590,000 would be enough to prize him away in January.

Elsewhere, Mike Williamson looks set for a mid-season departure as well. Having spent the majority of this season on loan at Championship club, Wolves, until being recalled in early December, he now looks set for a permanent return.

During his time in the black country, Williamson made five impressive appearances as he filled in the for the injured Ethan Ebanks-Landell. In his five appearances for the Black County club, they earned three clean sheets.

And with Williamson’s contract set to expire in the summer, the Express are reporting that he will finally be offloaded permanently, if not in the Summer, at least in January.

Both players saw a lot of playing time during Alan Pardew’s time at the club, and they are among the longer serving players in our current roster. Nonetheless, it would be fair to say that neither can be considered fan favourites, and their departures will be welcomed by many fans.

Lets hope that their departures will be coincided with two arrivals. There is no doubt we need strengthening in January – let’s hope Ashley digs into his deep pockets over the next few weeks!