Newcastle United are preparing for several signings this summer and have reportedly made an early move for a long-term target who ‘admires’ the project on Tyneside.

Toon sporting director Paul Mitchell has been pursuing several promising young talents and expanding our global search for hidden gems, but has now begun talks to make the first significant first-team signing since stepping into Dan Ashworth’s previous role.

The last major squad investment came four windows ago when Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento switched to black-and-white, before we found ourselves in a tricky predicament with PSR.

Spending is set to be freed up this summer and with a goalkeeper, centre-back, right-winger and striker four of our top priorities, it seems we’re already working on a deal that would strengthen our attacking options. 

Mitchell makes David move

Paul Mitchell has been in touch with the representative of Lille striker Jonathan David ahead of a prospective move to Tyneside, according to The Chronicle.

The Canada international has been scouted by Toon head of recruitment Steve Nickson on “numerous occasions” this season and an approach has now been made.

David’s contract expires in June and Mitchell’s contact is thought to be a ‘significant’ early move in a bid to sign the forward on a free transfer.

Newcastle were not one of the clubs who pursued a cut-price deal for the 25-year-old in January, but our sporting director is well connected in France following his time at Monaco and would do well to land the Ligue 1 star given the level of competition we’ll face.

David ‘admires’ Toon project – but deal will be difficult

David is “believed to admire” Newcastle’s project, but joining the Geordies may prove a hard sell for a variety of reasons.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona are all also interested in signing the soon-to-be free agent who has bagged an impressive 23 goals and 10 assists so far this season.

The three Premier League sides in particular are crying out for a No. 9, and David may feel he has more guaranteed game time elsewhere.

It seems increasingly likely Newcastle retain the services of Alexander Isak this summer and Eddie Howe lines up with a sole centre-forward in a 4-3-3, making it hard to picture where David would fit in a starting XI. 

A tough sell to the player maybe, but a welcome sense of ambition from the club it has to be said!