After a total lack of first-team additions over the past three transfer windows and January outgoings to further boost the club’s financial position, it simply has to be a big summer at St. James’ Park.
Several areas of the squad have gone stale and fresh investment feels essential to improve Eddie Howe’s side, who are up against it in our push for Champions League qualification after a three-game ban for Anthony Gordon and a season-ending injury to Lewis Hall.
However, with the accounts for 2023/24 showing financial growth earlier this week and Darren Eales speaking positively about our plans – on and off the pitch – heading into the summer, there are still plenty of reasons to be positive as a Newcastle United fan.
With that in mind, fresh details have emerged on the positions we look set to target, along with three players expected to depart to trim our wage bill and further improve our PSR position…
Newcastle’s four transfer priorities
Newcastle are targeting four key signings this summer with significant investment to be expected on Tyneside if Luke Edwards’ recent report in The Telegraph is accurate.
Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka have tussled for a starting spot this season, but it’s believed another goalkeeper is expected to arrive, with James Trafford a longstanding target who has been tipped to arrive irrespective of the Clarets’ push for promotion.
A centre-back is also being considered a priority by the board with both Fabian Schar and Dan Burn showing their age in recent weeks.
Sven Botman’s recurring knee issues are starting to become a concern, but a right-sided centre back arriving seems most likely after the club tried and failed to land Abdukodir Khusanov – now at Man City – and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi over the last two transfer windows.
Unsurprisingly Newcastle are also in the market for a right-winger. Jacob Murphy has enjoyed his best season in a black-and-white but names linked, such as Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo and Johan Bakayoko, would offer a marked and long overdue improvement on the Englishman, also adding depth following Miguel Almiron’s January exit.
Another striker is said to be on the cards, too. Regardless of Alexander Isak’s future, we’ve lacked a fit and firing alternative to the Swede all season and could see Callum Wilson depart, which brings us on nicely to outgoings.
Trippier, Wilson and Longstaff to be moved on?
The Telegraph also report that Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson’s significant wages are poised to be removed from Newcastle’s bill this summer, with both high earners who have passed their peak years at 34 and 33.
Edwards adds that Sean Longstaff and ‘other squad players’ could also be sold, with player trading likely to further improve our PSR position and allow for a number of much needed incomings to refresh what has become a stale squad.
Wilson’s contract expires in the summer and this news suggests we’re unlikely to exercise the one-year extension clause that can be activated before the end of the season. The 33-year-old has struggled more than ever with injuries this campaign, and has looked far from his former self when called upon.
A statement signing in January 2022 saw Trippier switch the red-and-white stripes of Atletico Madrid for the black-and-white of the Toon. Initially an instrumental figure in our back line, several errors in 2023/24 opened the door for Tino Livramento to hold down a spot in the defence.
Talk of Longstaff departing has followed him his whole career, going back to the £50m links to Manchester United a few years back.
Now considered behind Lewis Miley and Joe Willock in the pecking order, the 27-year-old academy product has earned the right for first team minutes elsewhere, with this summer also our final chance to land a decent fee with his contract up in just over 12 months time.
The club need to get their finger out and execute a plan this summer because this squad in large parts is desperate now!!.
GK – needs improvement but is by no means a priority.
RB – Tino is developing well but Trippiers times up I think & Krafth – when not injured isn’t really good enough cover if needed for a long period. Again not an urgent but improvement needed.
LB – Hall has shown his class this season. But with Target his only cover – who needs moving on – I would say this is a PRIORITY POSITION.
CB – PRIORITY POSITION. Schar & Burn are at an age where we shouldn’t be dependent on them as heavily as we are – with Lascelles out injured still & Botman under the knife again – letting Kelly go – for me we need at least TWO.
CMF – with the players we have I think this is fine if we are talking priority signings this summer.
LWF – Gordon is outstanding, Barnes has not cut it yet – but with Joelinton or Willock able to cover it’s not a priority.
RWF – PRIORITY POSITION. Murphy has been excellent this season but with Miggy gone we need another body in. Personally I’d look at developing Osula at RWF as he’s not an out n out CF for me but either way – 1 in.
CF – PRIORITY POSITION. Wilson should have went last summer. Osula has promise but we need someone who can give Isak a break.
So for me, a LB, 2 CBs, RWF and CF.
If they get their act together & work with purpose, there are very good players available on a free transfer.
Our squad is not good enough to build for the future in those positions right now, so work the market & get the right players in NOW.
Sharpy17(Quote)
A top keeper is a must,,,
At least one centre back, (but with the uncertainty of Botman we might need 2)
Right wing
Striker
We need 4 possibly 5 players to walk into the team immediately if called upon,
We then need cover at right back and left back if trippier leaves (targett over paid and not good enough, Krafth not good enough) Dan Burn can cover at left back, but he’s not the answer, sad to see the decline of Schar as he’s been a great player for us and he shows how the charlatan Bruceless has been stealing a living for years as he’s didn’t rate him.
MorpethMag(Quote)
I dont know that we will actually be able to spend the money that we need to spend. If and its a big if, we qualify for CL, then we need to spend even bigger. We need to be much much better in the scouting department, we hear rumours about going after Huijsen at Bournemouth for around 40-50m??? Well they signed him in the summer for what 15m? Thats what we need to do so that we arent giving 50m away. We need to find those players that after one season are worth 50m. That way we can buy 6, 7 or 8? We can only buy 3 of the 50m players at best.
SteveM(Quote)