Newcastle United have lost a second player to the upcoming Asian Cup, leaving Magpies boss Rafa Benitez insisting that his side must do their January transfer business early, the Mirror reports.
The Magpies were left somewhat shocked after striker Yoshi Muto was called up to represent Japan in the tournament that takes place in the United Arab Emirates between January 5th and February 1st.
South Korean midfielder Ki Sung Yeung is also to play in the Asian Cup, leaving Newcastle with the possibility of missing the pair for up to nine games.
The club are set to hold a vital transfer meeting this week to finalise their plans for the January window, and Muto’s call-up now leaves Benitez eager to get his business underway.
Benitez’s top target is believed to be £25m rated midfielder Miguel Almiron of new Major League Soccer champions Atlanta United.
The Magpies have also been scouting defender Maxime Poundje of Bordeaux in the past few weeks, Czech midfielder Michal Travnik and Japanese international, Groningen winger Ritsu Doan.
Last January, Benitez’s side turned their season around with the loan signings of Kenedy and Martin Dubravka from Chelsea and Sparta Prague respectively.
Benitez said of this January’s transfer window:
We were ready to go last year, but we didn’t move quickly.
I am telling you that we are not talking about anyone at the moment. We have to have a meeting and then we will see our targets. We don’t know [our targets] yet.
