Newcastle United are expected to make huge strides in the summer transfer market that should change their Premier League fortunes. The completion of the Saudi takeover made the Magpies one of the richest clubs in world football, a vastly different outlook to the beginning of the campaign.
The January transfer window gave Eddie Howe's squad a much needed revamp and a positive sign of things to come. The recent window has rejuvenated a stagnating squad and they've shot up the Premier League table away from the relegation zone.
European football and competing for a Premier League title is the next aim for the Magpies new owners, but the Toon Army know it could take years until that happens. For now, the black and white faithful are happy with the ambition shown by their new owners.
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Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Chris Wood are the experienced signings Newcastle needed to haul themselves out of a relegation battle. But, Bruno Guimaraes is a statement signing tipped to become one of Europe's best central midfielders.
With that in mind we've analysed the CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post, which presents 100 players born in 2002 or after and are active in 31 European leagues outside of the big-5. Looking at their InStat index, an algorithm that considers the player’s contribution to the team’s success, the significance of their actions, their opponent’s level and the level of the league they play in, we're able see the best young talents Newcastle could sign in thee summer.
Here are five of the best talents in Europe Newcastle could snap up:
Maarten Vandevoort
Vandevoort holds the record for the youngest goalkeeper to appear in the Champions League aged 17 years and 287 days. It was somewhat of a nightmare evening for the young Belgian however who saw his side drubbed 4-0 against Napoli.
Since then, the youngster has emerged as one of the brightest prospects in world football and has drawn comparisons to Manuel Neuer and Thibaut Courtois. He's ranked the second highest on CIES behind Hammarby IF's Oliver Dovin.
Speaking about his Champions League debut, Vandevoort told HLN: "I quickly got over that mistake. I think I came out of this whole story stronger mentally.
"I now know what to do better and differently. I will never take such a risk again. If I could turn back time, I would kick the ball away immediately. Everyone makes mistakes. Unfortunately, those of the goalkeepers are always magnified."
With Martin Dubravka approaching the twilight stage of his career, it would be no surprise to see Newcastle foray into the transfer market for another goalkeeper. Dean Henderson is one of those who has been linked to St. James' Park but given Manchester United's stubbornness over Jesse Lingard's loan, Newcastle may look elsewhere.
Ilya Zabarni
Ukrainian wonderkid Ilya Zabarni is already on the radar of a number of high profile European clubs. The 19-year-old was on Chelsea's radar last summer and has been a mainstay in FC Dynamo Kyiv's side this season.
Zabarni won the treble with Dynamo last season and already boasts an impressive CV with Champions League and Europa League experience at such a young age. Newcastle could in theory act now and sign the highly rated youngster after a temporary change in rules by FIFA as a result of Russia's invasion of the country.
“Ukrainian players may be allowed to be registered with another club even if that registration period is closed in the association of the club with which they intend to be registered," FIFA said in a statement. Zabarni has a rating of 257.2 making him the highest rated youngster outside of a top five league.
Devyne Rensch
Devyne Rensch is the latest hot prospect to come out of Ajax's illustrious academy. The full back replaced Sergio Dest in Ajax's starting XI following the American's move to Barcelona.
His performances have been that impressive in the Eredevisie, Champions League and last years Europa League, that Juventus have been keeping tabs on the defender. It's no secret that Newcastle's defence has needed improvement but the arrival of Trippier at right-back was a major coup for the club.
Rensch could be seen as a long term successor for Trippier, but would also provide quality cover in the short term given his vast experience at such a young age. At just 19-years-old, Rensch is sure to be a star of the future.
Ryan Gravenberch
Quite possibly the best young talent in Europe at the moment. Staying with Ajax, Ryan Gravenberch is making waves across the continent as a holding midfielder and Bayern Munich are rumoured to be at the front of a long queue.
Gravenberch has the highest CIES rating out of any player across Europe at a staggering 294.8. Newcastle's new found wealth means that financially, a transfer would be possible, but he wouldn't come cheap.
Whether or not he'd buy into the project at St. James Park remains to be seen, especially given European football on offer elsewhere. The Dutch international is already one of the first names on Ajax's team sheet and boasts an impressive amount of caps for the Netherlands at such a young age.
If Newcastle were to pull off Gravenberch's signing it would be a real coup for the club.
Karim Adeyemi
Another young talent set to come out of Red Bull's talent factory. Following in the footsteps of Erling Haaland, Adeyemi is currently plying his trade with RB Salzburg, the Austrian outfit who made waves in the Champions League this season.
Salzburg held Bayern Munich to a draw at the Red Bull Arena last month and sit top of the Austrian Bundesliga. Valued at £31.5 million already at such a young age, big things are expected of the German international.
The youngster has scored an impressive 19 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions this season. While not leading the CIES charts, Adeyemi has a solid rating of 249.7 and is certainly one to watch in coming season.
Newcastle could act quickly to grab his signature before a big move comes his way.
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