There are four players on Newcastle United’s wanted list that could move to St. James’ Park in 2025, according to a report released today.

In an in-depth piece on our battle with PSR, Mark Douglas of the i has named a few players sporting director Paul Mitchell could move for in a bid to bolster Eddie Howe’s squad – but it’s increasingly likely that the Toon gaffer will have to wait until the summer.

All four were identified coming into January, but sales needed to be made to finance any incomings ahead of the June 30 PSR deadline, however the restrictions will be eased come July.

Four names linked in new report

Douglas has revealed that Newcastle retain a keen interest in Wolves’ Matheus Cunha, PSV’s Johan Bakayoko, Southampton star Tyler Dibling and Burnley stopper James Trafford.

However, he reports that the club are unlikely to splash the cash until after June’s PSR deadline, with last year’s scare – forcing the sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh – leaving Toon chiefs erring on the side of caution.

Dibling, Trafford and Bakayoko have been heavily linked with a move to Tyneside, while Cunha’s stock has risen this season as the 25-year-old continues to impress at Wolves.

Douglas states that Newcastle are not confident that key targets will be available at the ‘right price’ over the final 10 days of the window and recent reports have indicated similar.

Bakayoko’s agent ruled out any possibility of a mid-season move for the PSV winger, Burnley would not part with Trafford in their battle for promotion and Southampton are said to be demanding £55m for Dibling, currently injured, this month.

As for Cunha, Wolves would demand a huge premium to lose their best player mid-season while tangled in a relegation battle, so you can see why the club may have to wait until the summer.

Cunha link exciting – but where would he fit?

The emerging Cunha link, though exciting, raises the question of where in the squad he would fit – or if he is being scouted in case one of our star attackers is poached.

The Brazilian is a left-winger-come-striker, two positions we are far from in desperate need of a new starter in. Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak have nailed down their respective positions and there is no chance Cunha would be signed as a backup.

The 25-year-old would cost in excess of £50m. That’s not money Newcastle could afford to invest in a rotation player, so it does beg the question of where he would fit within Howe’s squad, as talented as he is.