Eddie Howe has begun his summer rebuild by signing Matt Targett with keeper Nicky Pope also now confirmed.
They have a budget of around £80-100m to revamp a side which struggled last season with only one win until January 21… before conjuring a miracle revival and 12 wins in their last 18 Premier League games. Climbing to 11th place was a good achievement, but Howe will be after a good start and targeting at least a top half finish, with 8th position being a par for the course aim if Newcastle keep spending.
The Toon players have a more ambitious target revealed by Joelinton at the end of the season, with European football on the agenda for the new recruits like Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. A deal for Hugo Ekitike is also in place with Reims, but on-off at the moment as final details are ironed out with the striker’s agent.
So who else could Newcastle go on to sign as the transfer window opens?
Sven Botman
The Lille and Holland U21 defender has been the Toon’s top target since January.
New sporting director Dan Ashworth watched him in action for his country earlier this month, and a deal in the region of £35m is being discussed. But this one has frustrated both Newcastle and their fans. They are keen to see the classy left footer at St James Park, but it is complicated by interest from Italian giants Milan.
Newcastle don’t want to pay inflated prices or wages at this stage, and seek value, but it is a test whether the Saudi pay-masters will blow Milan away in terms of the fee of wages on offer. Reports in Italy have claimed Milan have backed off on cash grounds, but others claim the players wants to play in Serie A.
Tosin Adarabioyo
Newcastle are well covered in the full back department but signing a young defender like Adarabioyo would suit their search for value.
The 24-year-old was excellent for Fulham last season but has one year left on his current deal. When he played for Fulham at Boro last season he shone out as a star. He would represent value to a club who are not yet ready to splash millions on ready made stars, and would be a strong option if Jamaal Lascelles decides he is no longer a first choice and is sold, or with Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez likely to be moved on.
Lucas Paqueta
He was pictured in a Toon shirt having a kick about on a visit to his “brother” Bruno Guimaraes. The pair are close, and Paqueta would love to play with his mate again after being team mates at Lyon.
Howe needs another midfieder in this window, preferably one with positive passing record and athletic ability. Paqueta would cost £40m and you can be sure Howe will know all about the midfielder’s wage demands and talents from Guimaraes. Bruno has settled well on Tyneside and brought his own physio to keep himself injury free, and his well being will only be helped by Paqueta arriving too.
Jesse Lingard
The ex-Manchester United star was a main target in January, when a loan deal collapsed over the size of the fee.
But he is now on a free transfer and is regarded as an upgrade on the current wide men at the club. Lingard was on double Newcastle’s biggest earner at Old Trafford so his wage demands could be a problem. However a deal could be structured so that he banks a free agent transfer fee as bonuses, to keep his weekly wage down. Newcastle’s front line needs perking up, and with Allan Saint-Maximin on the left and Lingard on the right, running off Callum Wilson or a new centre forward, would be a decent prospect.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
A fit Callum Wilson offers goals, mobility and a great focal point. But Newcastle can’t sit back and trust he will be available for the while season.
They bought £25m Chris Wood to lead the line in January, and he did well off the ball, but only scored twice. So it is no wonder United are scouting around for striker deals. Dominic Calvert-Lewis is the athletic goal scoring answer to their problem. But Harry Kane’s England deputy is subject to a £50m transfer demand from Everton which at this stage will be problematic. Unless the Saudi’s can be persuaded to spend some decent cash on footballers instead of golfers!
