FIVE players NUFC could sign this summer if Southampton, Stoke & West Brom go down

With us entering May and in the final stretch in the season, we are thankfully not involved in the relegation ****. Things could well change, but Southampton, Stoke and West Brom all occupy those three slots at the moment with three games to play.

With this in mind, which players could be good potential signings for us this summer IF they did go down?

1 – Cedric Soares (Southampton)

Yedlin has improved massively this year but we lack quality in this area and the likes of Gamez and Manquillo could well be moved on in the summer. Cedric is a class act if out of form and adds a great dimension going forward especially. He wouldn’t want to hang around in the Championship and a poor season by his high standards might put him on our radar after previously being linked with the top 6.

2 – Jay Rodriguez (West Brom)

He has been the Baggies top scorer this year and finally looks to have overcome his injury woes. He is good technically and would add competition to our pool of strikers which needs overhauled. His ability to also play wide and chip in with goals from there may also appeal to Rafa, who could be the perfect manager to get his career back on track.

3 – Badou N’diaye (Stoke)

Newcastle have been linked with the Senegalese midfielder over the past few windows (when he was playing in Turkey), and he as stood out in Stoke’s team since signed – despite their wretched form. He looks athletic, a hard worker and possesses a good engine. He would add some depth to our options in the middle of the park and take some strain from Shelvey and Diame; could also be a shrewd move if Merino is moved as we fear.

4 – Kieran Gibbs (West Brom)

Dummett has been outstanding at LB this season but we sorely lack competition in that area. Gibbs knows the Premier League well and could be a good foil for Dummett to keep pushing him to improve. Were linked with the former Arsenal man before he joined the Baggies so it could be second time lucky for Newcastle. Come come cheap given West Brom paid just £7m for him last summer.

5 – Mario Lemina (Southmapton)

Southampton have been woeful but he’s often impressed when I’ve watched them. With Diame getting older and Colback and Saivet set to be moved on, he’d be a valuable addition to our midfield options.  Still young and entering his prime, he has good pedigree from his time at Juventus and would add some real quality to the team. I can see plenty wanting him, mind..

What do you think of these five? Who else would you target for our summer recruitment drive?

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)