The January transfer window is always a time of speculation, hope, and sometimes heartbreak for football fans. This year, Newcastle United supporters find themselves at the center of a swirling transfer saga, with the future of one of their most influential players, Joelinton, hanging in the balance. As Saudi Pro League clubs circle with intent and Newcastle’s own ambitions for the rest of the season remain uncertain, the drama is unfolding at breakneck speed.
Joelinton, now 29, has been a mainstay at St James’ Park since his £40 million move from Hoffenheim back in 2019. Initially brought in as a striker, his early days in the Premier League were marked by a frustrating goal drought and mounting questions about his future. Yet, under the guidance of manager Eddie Howe, Joelinton underwent a remarkable transformation. Howe, who has been credited for rejuvenating several members of the Newcastle squad, repositioned the Brazilian as a central midfielder—a move that paid immediate dividends and turned Joelinton into a cult hero on Tyneside.
But football is a game of constant evolution, and this season has posed new challenges for both player and club. Joelinton has struggled with injuries, missing five matches already in the 2025-26 campaign. His statistical output has dipped: tackles per 90 minutes have dropped from 2 last season to 1.5, interceptions from 0.8 to 1, shots from 1.6 to 0.8, key passes from 0.8 to 0.5, and dribbles from 0.5 to just 0.2. The numbers paint a picture of a player whose influence is waning, at least by the high standards he set in previous years.
It’s not just the stats that are raising eyebrows. Joelinton’s place in the starting lineup is no longer guaranteed, with Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali now preferred in Howe’s midfield. The Brazilian’s current salary—reported as either £150,000 or £187,000 per week, depending on the source—makes him one of the club’s highest earners, a factor that cannot be ignored as Newcastle look to balance their books and comply with Premier League sustainability rules.
The latest twist in the tale came on December 26, 2025, when reports confirmed that Saudi Pro League clubs had made contact with Newcastle about a potential January move for Joelinton. According to Teamtalk and other reputable outlets, the Magpies are open to letting their Brazilian star leave, but only if the deal meets their conditions. The interest from Saudi Arabia is hardly surprising. In recent years, the Pro League has lured a host of high-profile names with lucrative contracts, and Joelinton’s wage could reportedly be doubled or even tripled should he make the switch.
Manager Eddie Howe, for his part, has been clear about his preference to keep Joelinton. Ahead of Newcastle’s Boxing Day clash with Manchester United—a crucial fixture that could see the Magpies rise to seventh in the table or fall as low as fifteenth—Howe acknowledged the importance of focus and resilience. “Our record has been good against Manchester United in recent games, but that counts for nothing in this game. It will be another independent game and as I say, they’ve improved, they’ve been really strong in the games—even the game at Aston Villa, where they didn’t win in their last match, I thought they were really strong and produced a good performance,” Howe said.
Despite Howe’s reluctance to lose a key player mid-season, the club’s ownership, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), may see things differently. There’s a growing sense that a big-money move—possibly sanctioned if the proceeds are reinvested in new signings—could be the pragmatic choice. Newcastle are already being linked with potential January targets, including Jarrod Bowen and Nicolas Jackson, as they look to bolster their frontline and address unfinished business from the summer.
Fan sentiment on Tyneside is, as ever, passionate and divided. Social media has been abuzz with debate over Joelinton’s future. Some supporters argue that it’s time to cash in while his value remains high, especially given his recent injury record and the club’s need to evolve. “With his injury record of late I’d seriously consider it,” said one fan. Another added: “Done well for the club but time to move on.” Others are more sentimental, recalling Joelinton’s heroics in the Carabao Cup final and his role as a symbol of the Howe era. Still, pragmatism prevails for many: “Been a great servant to the club and revolutionary, but we’ve sadly outgrown him, and in a world of PSR, you have to sell players whilst they’ve still got value,” commented another supporter.
The timing of a potential deal is also a factor. Joelinton’s contract runs until 2028, but with his role diminishing and his salary among the highest at the club, this January may represent the ideal moment for Newcastle to part ways. Saudi clubs reportedly made inquiries last summer and are expected to return with concrete offers in the coming window. For Newcastle, the prospect of recycling transfer funds into squad reinforcements—especially with ready-made replacements like Lewis Miley, Jacob Ramsey, and Joe Willock already in the ranks—could tip the balance in favor of a sale.
Meanwhile, the broader football landscape is also shifting. The Premier League and English Football League are reportedly considering allowing live broadcasts of Saturday 3pm kick-offs for the first time in history when negotiating their next rights deals. Such changes could have significant financial implications for clubs like Newcastle, further influencing transfer strategy and squad planning.
As the January window approaches, Newcastle United find themselves at a crossroads. The decision on Joelinton’s future is about more than just one player; it’s a test of the club’s ambition, financial discipline, and willingness to adapt. For Joelinton himself, the lure of a new challenge—and a potentially life-changing contract in Saudi Arabia—may prove irresistible. For fans, it’s a moment to reflect on an era that saw a struggling striker reinvented as a midfield powerhouse, and to wonder what comes next for both player and club.
With the transfer window set to open and Saudi clubs poised to make their move, all eyes are on St James’ Park. The coming weeks promise plenty of intrigue, tough decisions, and perhaps the end of an unforgettable chapter in Newcastle United’s modern history.
