Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (left) and sporting director Paul Mitchell
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (left) and sporting director Paul Mitchell
Newcastle United know this summer's transfer window will have a huge say in both the club's short and long term future. The Magpies qualified for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons and know repeating that feat on a regular occurrence is the only way they'll become the European heavyweight the club's owners want them to be.
After winning their first piece of domestic silverware in 56 years with a Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool, Eddie Howe is already immortalised as a Newcastle great, but will undoubtedly want more.
The Toon's most recent Champions League campaign showed just how difficult it can be to compete on multiple fronts, while having a squad that's lacking in depth in key areas of the pitch. In truth, the Magpies have still not fully addressed that issue given their lack of first team transfer activity in recent seasons as a result of the shackles of PSR.
With that in mind, Chronicle Live has taken a look at what we know about Newcastle's current transfer plans, the departure of sporting director Paul Mitchell and where the Magpies are at in terms of business.
What Eddie Howe has said
There's no better place to start than with the Toon boss. Howe reiterated that qualifying for the Champions League would be "game changing" for Newcastle this summer and stressed the need to invest into the first-team squad having been restricted by PSR in the last three transfer windows.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Everton last month, the Newcastle boss said: "Difficult to say on numbers, but I do think it's a window that we have to be active in and I'm sure we will be. We haven't recruited strongly in three windows and I think eventually, that can catch up with you in the end if you continue not to change because change is an important part of the squad dynamic.
"I think we feel that and I think we potentially felt that last summer as well, so I think that's why the players have done so well to carry the success through. Yes, it is going to be a big transfer window."
Transfer restructure after Paul Mitchell departure
Paul Mitchell's departure from St James' Park came as a surprise to those outside of the Magpies inner sanctuary. The outgoing sporting director was tipped for big things upon his arrival and yet failed to deliver after arriving like a wrecking ball and publicly slamming the club's recruitment policy.
There may have been some truth in what Mitchell said in terms of needing to find better value in the transfer market, but given the club's proven track record since PIF's takeover at the club - signing the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon etc. - such public criticism was never going to go down well with key figures at St James' Park.
Howe, head of recruitment Steve Nickson and Andy Howe will once again take charge of transfer dealings, though the club have made it clear Mitchell will work through until the end of the month.
The former Spurs and Monaco chief has played a role in in early talks for Brighton forward Joao Pedro and Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga but the club are yet to strike a deal for either player. Mitchell is also understood to have spoken with Jonathan David, who will be a free agent after leaving Lille later this month, but the Canadian international has a number of lucrative offers on the table.
Priority signings and '£250m budget'
Last month, The i reported that Newcastle could have a whopping £250million to spend in the summer transfer market as they look to revamp their squad ahead of a return to the Champions League. The club are said to have around £100m in terms of PSR headroom but will need to act quickly.
The report makes clear that the Magpies want to sign a striker this summer, and fast forward a month, they remain heavily linked with Brighton's Joao Pedro and talks are understood to be advancing.
James Trafford is another young star linked with a move to St James' Park and viewed as a future England number one. Like most of Newcastle's recent business, the idea to prioritise homegrown talents like Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento will stand them in good stead in the long run.
However, Burnley are said to be holding firm in their valuation of the England youth international and won't sell for the fee of £30m currently doing the rounds. His potential arrival would likely cause a transfer domino effect, with Nick Pope potentially departing the club.
The Toon are also interested in a younger centre-half to bolster their options at the back. They've been linked with the likes of Dean Huijsen and Ousmane Diomande, before the former's move to Real Madrid, while Crystal Palace look to be signing the Ivorian international.
Newcastle also want to bolster their ranks on the right-hand side of their attack following Miggy Almiron's departure in January. So far, one signing has been confirmed, with Spanish youngster Antonio Cordero set to join on July 1 when his Malaga contract comes to an end.
Other departures
Newcastle could wave farewell to Callum Wilson come the end of the month with no indication yet as to whether the experienced striker will agree to new terms at St James' Park. Like Pope, Leeds United have been linked with a move for the England international.
The Magpies have offered the experienced striker a new incentivised deal, while John Ruddy was also offered new terms come the end of last season. As things stand, both players have not agreed to those offers and will leave the club at the end of the month.
The Toon's new look transfer team also knows they'll need to try and offload a number of fringe stars to bolster their transfer coffers. The likes of Matt Targett, Sean Longstaff and Kieran Trippier have all been linked with moves away from St James' Park in recent months, though the latter of the trio remains a key part of Howe's plans.