Newcastle United should move to sign Matt Targett on a permanent basis following a successful loan spell so far, according to Warren Barton. The former Magpies skipper also believes Eddie Howe needs to prioritise deals for a central midfielder and a forward in the summer.
The immediate priority for Newcastle remains preserving their top-flight status, with the head coach adamant the club remains in a relegation battle. The Magpies still have trips to relegation rivals Burnley and Norwich City to come, as well as testing clashes against title-chasers Liverpool and Manchester City.
However, following a January spend in excess of £90m, speculation has already begun to focus on the business Newcastle will aim to complete in the next transfer window. Barton has highlighted three areas he would like to see strengthened, and has pointed to Patrick Vieira's blueprint at Crystal Palace as a potential example to follow.
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He told ChronicleLive: "I would make sure we sign Targett, I like him. He is reliable and a good Premier League player. I would make sure we nail that down, and we need another forward and central midfielder.
"It doesn't have to be world-renowned stars but there are good players out there. I think those are the areas I would be looking at going forward.
" Callum Wilson we know is good and Chris Wood is a certain type of player, but we need another striker. We need a midfielder who has that drive and creativity, they're not easy to come by.
"Sean Longstaff is very much like that, but we need a more consistent one that you could have Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton around. To give a bit of a more physical presence in that midfield, and that doesn't mean someone who puts a foot and kicks people.
"I mean that drive and power in that midfield area. That's where we want Newcastle to be, we want to overrun teams.
"Just look at what Patrick Vieira has done at Crystal Palace, he has totally changed the concept of their identity. They are big, powerful, strong, athletic and aggressive players. I like it, I think that's what the Geordies would love. They would love that type of player driving through midfield."
Speculation over potential Newcastle transfer targets has veered wildly from ambitious links for the likes of Eden Hazard, Neymar and Paul Pogba, to claims of a £60m budget. Regardless of the size of the warchest at Howe's disposal though, Barton is clear in his message to the owners as they look to navigate their second transfer window.
The Fox Sports pundit added: "Whether it's £600m or £6m, we still need to invest it wisely. Look what Everton have done.
"We need to have someone as a director of football or technical director who is actually going to do that. Look at Manchester United, they have been lazy in buying players and not doing their homework, not finding out about their personalities or their backgrounds.
"That's an important part, and whether they can fit into the mould of what the coach wants or the philosophy of Newcastle. Every manager coming into that club like Kevin and Sir Bobby understood what the fans wanted, and that's the most important thing.
"Yes, of course we want to get Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, but that's not where we are at. If it's £60m, £100m, whatever it may be, do it wisely and for the right reasons for the football club.
"Don't go out and spend for the sake of it, do your homework and work on it. The first signing Kieran Trippier for £12m was so important because it set the tone for players they wanted to get, and the same thing is needed in the summer.
"Unfortunately, when Newcastle are knocking at the door, it's going to add a bit more to the price tag. There's a lot of good players out there, a lot of good young players people maybe don't realise. Look at the Bundesliga, look at Ligue One, look at the Dutch league, there's some quality players out there if you do your homework."
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