With the January transfer window coming to a close this week, we sat down with ex Magpies star Chris Waddle who discussed some of the players linked to Newcastle United.

We talked about Southampton’s pair of Tyler Dibling and Aaron Ramsdale being linked to the Toon, as well as the future of Anthony Gordon.

Dibling is exciting but it would still be a gamble to sign him

While Southampton have been the worst side in the Premier League this season, Tyler Dibling has garnered attention for his all-action displays on the wing. Waddle himself is impressed by the young Englishman and believes he has a great future ahead of him.

“I think he’s got a lot of potential. He carries the ball well, he’s brave and likes to have a go. He’s a young player that’s come into a struggling, struggling side and he’s grasped it.”

“He’s just gone out to play his game. He’s been thrown in and it looks like he’s said ‘sod it I'am going to enjoy myself”.

“He looks like he’s got a great future. A very good future and you can see why he’s been linked with Newcastle and Tottenham. He’s got great ability and vision. He has the making of a very good player.”

That being said, Waddle urges caution around Dibling, saying that he needs to consistently perform at this level for a couple of seasons.

“But I’m old school and I like to see players do it year in year out. We’ve seen players who are expected to be the next best thing and it never worked out.”

“Modern day players should be looking to work on their weaknesses which helps their game. Dibling is going the right way and I can see him being an international footballer and playing for a big club.”

“It would still be a gamble signing him. He’s got a lot to learn. Whoever does sign him needs to keep him focused on his path for him to be a great player.”

Ramsdale is Premier League proven and Newcastle should buy him

While Waddle advocated being patient with Dibling, he has a different mindset when it comes to Aaron Ramsdale. The former England international approves of Newcastle looking to bring in the ex-Arsenal shot-stopper as he offers a different skill-set than the incumbent Nick Pope.

“I thought Ramsdale did well whilst at Arsenal and they brought in Raya from Brentford because he’s got better feet but for me Ramsdale is proven.”

“He’s been in the England squad and fair play to him going to Southampton knowing they would struggle. He makes a lot of saves for them.”

Waddle adds that Ramsdale is Premier League proven and he’d be a very good goalkeeper to buy for the Magpies.

“He’s a very good goalkeeper and if Newcastle aren’t happy with Pope he would be a good goalkeeper to buy. He’s Premier League proven.”

The allure of the Champions League can lead to Anthony Gordon leaving

Anthony Gordon has been one of Newcastle’s standout players this season and is constantly linked to ‘bigger’ clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Waddle doesn’t see the ex-Everton man leaving in January but thinks that the summer could be one where Gordon could be subject to major bids.

“I know he's been linked with Liverpool in the last six months but he's signed a long-term contract with Newcastle which obviously means that if he did want to leave, it will cost somebody a lot of money."

"At this minute in time, I can't see Anthony Gordon being subject to a bid by one of the so-called big boys.”

With Newcastle out of the Champions League spots as of now, Waddle warns that the allure of Europe’s premier competition can prove to be a big factor for Gordon, who’d be looking to move to a club that is in the competition next season

“I think if it's going to happen, it will be in the summer seeing where Newcastle finish. The allure of Champions League football can be a factor, especially if Newcastle are not there."

"If anything will happen with Gordon, it will be in the summer. I don't see anyone putting in a crazy bid in the remaining few weeks of this window. Even then, I see him playing for Newcastle next season.”

Read Chris Waddle's thoughts on Tottenham's turmoil and why he think Romero could leave