Following a frustrating January spoilt by PSR and several windows with a lack of first-team signings, this summer should be a busy one for Newcastle United.

Several areas of the squad need addressing and it’s thought we’ll have more room for manoeuvre from a financial perspective, with our January business creating that much needed ‘headroom’ from a PSR perspective.

It’s a big one for Paul Mitchell, who was criticised for our poor end to the 2024 summer window, but it sounds like the wheels are already in motion to ensure the right signings arrive.

Summer plans stepping up

According to The Mail’s Craig Hope, transfer meetings have been taking place on Tyneside as we build towards a vital summer.

He reports that Paul Mitchell and all first-team scouting staff met at Gateshead’s Hilton Hotel last weekend to discuss our strategy heading into a vital window for the club.

It’s thought Burnley stopper James Trafford ‘is expected to arrive’ with a right-sided centre back, right winger and ‘versatile midfielder/forward’ also said to be top priorities heading into the summer.

Antonio Cordero also looks set to sign, with the 18-year-old Malaga winger closing in on a move that will see him arrive on a free transfer over the summer.

It’s emerged that his family have recently visited the north east, with a loan deal in the pipeline to allow the Spanish youth international to continue playing first-team football next season.

But could change – but targets won’t

Hope reports that the club are conscious of changes to our budget if we fail to qualify for the Champions League, with it accepted that there’ll be more to spend if we finish in the top five.

However, claims Mitchell has ‘two lists’ – targets if we qualify for the Champions League and ‘plan Bs’ should we miss out – have been played down.

Instead, it’s thought targets would remain the same regardless of where we finish, even if there is an expectation certain players would be tough to recruit if we can’t offer them a place in Europe’s top competition.