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.
