Newcastle United have been hard at work this summer and we're not even in July. The Magpies have strengthened with three top defensive targets, hinting that the days of deadline day desperation look to be over.
Matt Targett, Nick Pope and Sven Botman represent three fantastic bits of business for Eddie Howe's side. But next month promises to be an even busier one as the overhaul of the first-team takes shape.
Newcastle need to whittle their current squad of 33 down from to 25 by the end of August. However, offloading players is currently proving trickier than bringing new ones in.
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Isaac Hayden and Freddie Woodman are the only two departures thus far, with the former joining Norwich City on loan after being culled from the 25-man Premier League squad in January. Preston North End ended Woodman's frustrating nine-year stint at the club for an undisclosed fee earlier a fortnight ago.
But with more arrivals expected between now and the end of the summer window, Dan Ashworth and the Newcastle hierarchy will be keen to start shifting some of the fringe players in the near future.
Dwight Gayle is on the cusp of an exit after struggling for game time under both Howe and Steve Bruce in recent seasons. A host of Championship clubs continue to be linked with the striker, with Middlesbrough leading the pack.
Ciaran Clark last featured in a matchday squad on January 22nd and is another destined to leave the north east this summer. His former defensive partner Federico Fernandez is another to have dropped down the pecking order under Howe.
Jamaal Lascelles is likely to stay beyond the summer but a Nottingham Forest reunion could prove convenient should a transfer arise. The arrival of Sven Botman this week, along Dan Burn in January, means Newcastle's four central defenders of choice look nailed on at present - while Clark and Fernandez look to be surplus to requirements.
Jeff Hendrick has already hinted he will go, while Karl Darlow and Mark Gillespie looks to be on the chopping block after Pope's arrival. Matt Ritchie is another who could make way if you polled the St. James' Park faithful on the matter.
Javier Manquillo, Jacob Murphy, Matty Longstaff, Miguel Almiron and Jamal Lewis are all facing questions over their short-term future. While some of those stars may ultimately end the summer on the books at Newcastle, a huge overhaul is sure to take place in the next six weeks.
Ashworth has an incredible track record of loaning out emerging talents to aid their development. However, a huge task for the new sporting director in the coming weeks promises to be offloading a handful of squad players no longer in first-team plans.
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