Michael Bridges believes 'very big names' will arrive at Newcastle United this summer and players like James Ward-Prowse will no longer be on the the transfer 'wishlist'. The Magpies confirmed their return to the Champions League after an absence of two decades with a goalless home draw with Leicester City on Monday night.
Eddie Howe has stressed the need for the club to recruit smartly in the upcoming window to ensure he has two starting elevens of 'equal strength' to cope with a European campaign. Newcastle's owners have already invested in excess of £200 million into the playing squad since the takeover in October 2021, but a top-four finish ahead of schedule is expected to lead to another spending spree.
Ward-Prowse is among a host of Premier League stars to be linked with a St James' Park switch, and the Southampton star is likely to move following the club's relegation. However, former Magpies striker Bridges has suggested Newcastle will now be aiming higher on their summer shortlist, citing Leeds United's then-record £18 million move for Rio Ferdinand in 2000 as an example to follow.
