Newcastle United have already carried out rigorous background checks on priority targets like Sven Botman to ensure any new signings buy into the team-first mentality at the club.
As well as researching players, himself, and discreetly speaking to those who have worked with them, Eddie Howe has previously enlisted the help of recruitment consultants over the years. The Newcastle head coach wants to know every detail about a potential new arrival, whether it is his living situation, family life, interests outside the game or internal motivations, to build a profile to go with the data and scouting reports already compiled by the club.
Newcastle had already done their homework on Botman when the Magpies previously attempted to sign the Lille centre-back in the mid-season window. Needless to say, those character reports were positive; this was a player who was open to swapping life in the Champions League for an immediate relegation fight in January, after all, only for Lille to refuse to do business.
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Botman, a title winner, may have also been keen on a move to AC Milan this summer but, tellingly, the Dutchman is now set to travel to Tyneside for a medical next week after Newcastle finally had an offer accepted by Lille. Botman is viewed as a player who can grow with Newcastle as the club evolves in the years to come.
However, while Howe recognises that Newcastle need to improve, the 44-year-old is desperate to maintain the spirit and togetherness that has been forged and not disrupt the dressing room. Hence why these character reports are so important, particularly when Newcastle have been offered seemingly perfect deals by agents and intermediaries connected to some big-name players since the club's takeover was completed last year.
New arrivals do not necessarily have to be squeaky clean, but they need to buy into the work ethic and selfless mentality that has already been established at the club. Ineligible players like Ciaran Clark, for instance, trained like they were still available for selection in the second half of last season while veterans such as Dwight Gayle and Matt Ritchie continued to push those around them despite barely featuring.
Howe does not want to upset that culture and all five of the club's January signings - Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Matt Targett (loan) - bought into it. Even when a frustrated Bruno had to wait to get his chance, the Brazil international understood why as fellow midfielders Jonjo Shelvey, Joelinton and Joe Willock were all playing well at the time and Howe wanted to ease the new man in.
Howe has been keen to bring in further players, like Bruno, who also possess that team-first mentality. Having already signed Targett permanently, who Howe obviously knew well, Newcastle also completed a move for Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope earlier this week. Those who have worked with Pope told ChronicleLive that the England international is a 'grounded' individual and 'massive character' whose work ethic is 'excellent'.
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