It may be the worst kept secret at the club, but it’s looking increasingly likely that we’re going to see an eventful summer transfer window on Tyneside.

With the exception of Lewis Hall, who we bought on an obligation deal with Chelsea, you will have to go back to July and August 2023 for the last time we made an impactful first team signing, with the trio of Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento all making the move to Tyneside.

But it seems that will change this summer, with Sky Sports’ Keith Downie discussing a number of rumours on expected incomings and outgoings we can expect to see over the summer.

Four priority positions and “big” summer ahead?

Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Downie expects the window to “be a big one” and believes over £100m to be spend, before outgoings that could boost the budget further.

With added quality wanted and squad depth an absolute necessity to compete in each of the Premier League, domestic cups and European football, Downie believes Eddie Howe has learned his lesson from the 2023/24 injury-laden campaign and is keen to have at least two players for each position on the pitch.

“I think Newcastle will have a ballpark figure of four players to come in and complement their strongest starting XI.”

“I expect a goalkeeper to come in to compete with Nick Pope. James Trafford feels like one that could happen.

“As well as a keeper, a priority will be a right-sided centre half to compete with Fabian Schar, he needs competition there.”

“There is long-term interest in Marc Guehi, Dean Huijsen’s name has been mentioned. The club like him and the other Bournemouth centre-back Illia Zabarnyi.”

Right winger has also been a problem area for some time, and this summer might finally be the time the issue is addressed with a long-term solution, with a striker – or versatile forward – also wanted.

“A right-winger is also an absolute priority and my belief is they will also look to bring in someone to compete with Alexander Isak.

“They’ve been saying for a long time that they want to bring in a forward who can play in a number of positions: Cunha, of course, can do that, off to the right, he can play on the left, he can play through the middle or even a bit deeper.”

“Keep your eye on Bryan Mbeumo: that’s one of course that’s been mentioned a number of times, I could see him fitting in.”

Lightly mentioned by Downie as a versatile option is Ipswich’s Liam Delap and Lille’s Jonathan David. Like Cunha, David will be immensely in-demand this summer across the Premier League and Europe, particularly as a free agent.

Expected outgoings

With such fierce competition for places in the squad expected, it’s looking likely that a number of fan favourites and squad stalwarts will soon be moved on from the club.

With James Trafford’s transfer seemingly likely, Downie names Martin Dubravka as the stopper he expects to depart, feeling the Slovakian is second choice to Nick Pope and likely to leave for game time elsewhere.

Elsewhere, Downie reports that the departure of Callum Wilson could facilitate a move for a player like Wolves’ Matheus Cunha.

“If Wilson goes when his contract is up, then they will need a Cunha-type player to come in and not play second fiddle but someone who can play centre forward or play in the 10 or play out wide, and Cunha would fit that bill.”

And in terms of star players like Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak, the general sentiment amongst fans and the media is that Champions League qualification should be enough to satisfy the big names and deter the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool from making an approach in the summer.