Whatever happens over the next two months, this has been a season we’ll never forget at Newcastle United after Sunday’s Carabao Cup final win at Wembley.
However, there is no doubt the club needs fresh investment off the pitch and a number of new signings after PSR has impacted our ability to bring in first-team additions over the past three windows.
Our summer plans will be slowly gathering pace and one of our top priorities is to bring in a new centre-back able to compete with and eventually replace Fabian Schar; who is set for a new deal but unlikely to be starting every game next season.
The question is, who are we going to target after trying but failing to land Marc Guehi last summer?
Top target identified?
Some big claims have arrived from the Northern Echo this morning on our ongoing interest in Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen.
Chief writer Scott Wilson reports that Newcastle have identified the Cherries star as our top centre-back target this summer.
The i’s Mark Douglas revealed yesterday that our interest in the 19-year-old is “serious”, although both insist that we’ll face intense competition to sign the recently selected Spanish international.
A £50m release clause makes a deal do-able from a financial point of view. But the question is, can we attract him to St James’ Park given the high-level interest from elsewhere?
The key to attracting Huijsen
The Echo report that Toon chiefs accept they have a battle on their hands to land the highly-rated teenager, and believe a couple of factors will play a key role.
Qualifying for the Champions League would be huge and remains a vital goal between now and May, but it’s thought Newcastle also feel the offer of first-team football under Eddie Howe can be an attractive proposition for a player of his age and potential.
Finally, there is hope that Howe’s strong links with Bournemouth could also help Newcastle line up a move, which could be helpful given the number of Cherries players thought to be on our radar.
Alongside Huijsen, it’s reported that Illia Zabarnyi, Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert are also on our radar.
I don’t know much about Huijsen, though I’d prefer to see larger funds saved for two attacking players. Not Grealish though! He’s a great character, but a) we’re already overstocked in attacking left positions and b) he can’t even seem to beat defenders and just passes either side or backwards. Unless he’s used elsewhere. But I think no…
Very exciting week though, and very happy. When I was a kid in 1974 I prayed at church that we would beat Liverpool in the FA Cup Final. So redemption after 51 years!!
Adam(Quote)