Newcastle United face an important summer on the recruitment front
Newcastle United are looking to inject more quality into their squad as they prepare for a return to the Champions League following a hugely-successful summer under the stewardship of Eddie Howe.
The Magpies defied the odds by beating Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium, marking their first trophy since the Inter Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 while also ending a 70-year-wait for domestic silverware.
Despite not making a significant first team signing in both transfer windows last summer, Eddie Howe’s side also secured Champions League qualification by the finest of margins after being one of the in-form teams in the Premier League during the second half of the season.
It marked arguably the club’s best campaign since being crowned champions of England back in 1926/27, but the club’s fanbase are more than aware that they will need to work hard on the transfer front if they are to build on that success and continue their upwards trajectory up the league table.
Newcastle struggled with injuries during their last European adventure in 2023/24 and will need to increase squad depth to avoid being hampered by similar problems next term. With that in mind, we asked AI who Newcastle are likely to target - and this was its intriguing response.
Newcastle United tipped to spend around £150m on reinforcements
Newcastle United have been predicted to finally sign James Trafford from Burnley after a long transfer saga which seems to have dragged on for almost 12 months.
“Negotiations between Newcastle and Burnley for James Trafford are underway,” Fabrizio Romano tweeted. “Club to club talks continue as the deal can happen from July, so expected to accelerate from next week.”
Without naming Newcastle explicitly, Trafford recently spoke about really wanting a transfer to happen last summer. Speaking to former goalkeeper Ben Foster on Fozcast, Trafford admitted: “In the summer [2024], I wanted to move because the club I was close to going to was a good fit for me at the time.”
Newcastle World understands Trafford had already agreed personal terms with the club last summer and explains that agreeing a fee is now the only stumbling block to overcome.
The Magpies are also expected to resume their interest in another familiar target in Marc Guehi, according to AI. The FA Cup winning captain is in the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.
However, with Liverpool also showing interest in Guehi, it’s also claimed that Ousmane Diomande, recently linked with a move to Crystal Palace, could also be targeted as an alternative after a stellar season with Sporting CP.
Further up the pitch in attack, the North East club are believed to be closing in on a swoop for Brazil international Joao Pedro of Brighton. Eddie Howe’s side are looking for a long-term successor to out-of-contact striker Callum Wilson and are known to be long-term admirers of Brazil international Pedro, who was heavily linked with the club during his time at Watford in 2022, with Fabrizio Romano wrongly giving the rumour his ‘here we go’ seal of approval.
Newcastle are also thought to be in the market for a right-winger and are expected to return to the table with a fresh bid to sign Anthony Elanga. The St James’ Park club had an opening offer of around £45m turned down but it’s suspected that a new and improved offer could still be tabled in the coming weeks.
Who could leave Newcastle United this summer?
Newcastle United’s potential signing of James Trafford could signal the end for long-term servant Martin Dubravka, who was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in January.
Elsewhere, left-back Matt Targett, who impressed on loan in 2021/22 before joining on a permanent, is likely to be sold after an injury-ravaged three years at Newcastle.
Joe Willock is another at risk of being sold amid reports of interest fromCrystal Palace and Fulham among others.
Meanwhile, in attack Callum Wilson is expected to depart on a free transfer after five incredible years in the North East. He struggled for fitness last season and failed to score in the top-flight after struggling to make the team ahead of Alexander Isak. Experienced goalkeeper John Ruddy is also expected to leave on a free transfer after one sole season as a backup member of the squad.
Anthony Cordero, a highly-rated Spanish prospect, who has just been signed from Real Malaga, is likely to be loaned out to gain experience. He’s featured heavily for Spain’s who were beaten finalists in the European Championships against Netherlands this summer.
Other young stars such as Alfie Harrison, Trevan Sanusi and Alex Murphy are also likely to be loaned out this summer to clubs in the Football League.
Based on AI’s prediction this is how the Newcastle line-up could look next season: Trafford, Livramento, Guehi, Botman, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Elanga, Isak, Pedro
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