In just over six hours time the transfer window will close without the bang it always seems to be sold on for Newcastle fans. As tends to be the way on Tyneside the last day of the window means very little in terms of incoming deals, but the loan deal that has seen Frenchman Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa leave the club for Roma surely means that Alan Pardew is still actively open for business. If Mbiwa is not replaced, Newcastle are playing a remarkably dangerous game - and one they've played before - and it has to be frustrating for Newcastle fans to see a player leave without cover after the club seemingly assured them that no first teamer would leave without a replacement. That is precisely why Mathieu Debuchy's move to Arsenal took so long. So the decision to let Yanga-Mbiwa - arguably the most technically gifted defender on the books - leave without already having his replacement in seems ridiculous. Hopefully the replacement is already lined up, and the media have just been kept out. According to Matt Smith though - better known as ElasticoChop on Twitter and a Premier League and Sky statistician - has suggested that Newcastle are now on the trail of Robin Knoche, the hugely rated 6'3 centre-back currently with Wolfsburg. If it's true, Knoche would be a great prospect to add to the Newcastle squad, particularly given the value of his stock currently, but it's unlikely the defender would come in at anything other than a premium. And it seems a little late to be trying to start new business - unless this is another case of the side having thrown the media well and truly off the scent. Elsewhere, Matija Nastasic has also been linked, but Newcastle would have to fend off both Spurs and Arsenal to get the Man City man in, and it's hard to sell the club against any Champions League side, or even one with Europa league football to boast. Should Newcastle be working harder to sign a defender? Share your thoughts below in th ecomments thread.
