In the words of Eddie Howe, Newcastle United need to be 'smart' this summer. The St James' Park boss has warned this will be the north east outfit's toughest window to date as they try to balance the books while improving the squad ahead of next season's Champions League journey.
After a top four finish was secured, talk has already turned to who could be arriving through the door this summer. Kieran Tierney, James Maddison, Moussa Diaby and Dominik Szoboszlai continue to be linked with big-money moves to Tyneside but will each take a hefty chunk out of Newcastle's upcoming budget.
Newcastle would be wise to take a look at the array of talent on offer for free this summer as they try to keep costs down while strengthening in multiple departures. The likes of N'Golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot, Raphael Guerreiro, Youri Tielemans and Evan N'dicka are all out of contract in the coming weeks, while Liverpool recently announced the departure of four first-team players.
READ MORE: Newcastle to receive game-changing financial boost amid new sponsorship and Champions League bonuses
Marcus Thuram is a player previously linked with Newcastle who could vastly improve Howe's squad next season and beyond. The French international has a close relationship with Magpies favourite Allan Saint-Maximin, who has tried to convince him about a move to St James' Park.
"Well done, Maxi!" Howe said upon hearing that news back in December. “He’s a top player. But yeah, no more than that. He’s one that I watched in the World Cup for sure but no more than that.”
Chronicle Live understands Tottenham star Lucas Moura has been offered to Newcastle as his representatives seek out a new home for the Brazilian. “I can’t believe it’s time to say goodbye,” Moura posted on Instagram this week.
“I don’t have the words to explain how grateful I am for having had the opportunity to defend this badge. Thank you very much Spurs family, God bless you all. I will always love you."
Howe continues to be wary over Newcastle's spending despite outside speculation regarding the size and scale of the finances available. The Newcastle boss recently said: “It won’t be huge numbers – I don’t think it can be. We don’t have the ability to spend the money that people will think we have, so we’re going to have to be smart."
Newcastle's current sponsorship deal sees them pocket £6.5m-a-year, significantly less than their Premier League rivals, while sellable assets in Howe's squad are thin on the ground. The arrival of a new, lucrative front of shirt sponsor and the financial benefits of the Champions League will ease Newcastle's Financial Fair Play worries in the seasons to come.
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