Eddie Howe knows what Newcastle United need in 2023 and the Magpies are already busy planning for both the January and the summer transfer windows to try and deliver it. In Howe's own words, there is 'a lot of work ahead' and it is easy to see why.
Not only do Newcastle's recruitment team need to scout players, record data and compile lists; the club also have to ensure the right individuals are targeted and bringing in good characters as well as good footballers is the most crucial part of recruitment for Howe. It is why renewed moves for summer targets like James Maddison cannot necessarily be ruled out yet given the small pool of quality players Newcastle are looking at who have also passed the club's character tests.
It goes without saying that Newcastle would not have made multiple bids for Maddison a few months ago if there were any red flags when the Magpies carried out extensive background checks on the Leicester City star. The same goes for the signings that Newcastle actually made last summer; Howe even went as far as to describe Sven Botman and Nick Pope as the 'right characters', Matt Targett as an 'outstanding person' and Alexander Isak as someone who has had 'a lot thrown at him for a young player'.
