This summer is going to be the most important transfer window in the PIF-era since the first one in which they brought in the likes of Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle spent big to avoid the drop in that window and followed it up with big signings like Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali, yet despite that big outlay, the feeling around the club is that the squad is stagnating.
Due in no small part to the lack of big incoming business in any of the last three transfer windows.
In January, Newcastle moved a couple of first-team players on without adding to the squad, leaving a weak squad even weaker, so the expectation is that the club spends big this summer.
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Jonathan David: I'll not let this drop as long as it's a possibility
Darren Eales says Newcastle will spend 'to the max'
CEO Darren Eales spoke about how the club is in a strong financial position this summer and will spend to the max, which is encouraging talk, but they have to back that up with actions.
Writing for The Telegraph, Luke Edwards has highlighted the four key areas that Newcastle must improve. A goalkeeper, centre back, right-sided forward and striker are all imperative signings, and they have to be meaningful ones. With all due respect to the likes of Will Osula who was brought in last summer, his impact on the squad has been minimal, so whoever we bring in for those aforementioned positions must be first-team ready and able to make an immediate impact.
As well as bringing in players, Edwards believes the club will look to move on Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier, who are two players on the top end of the wage scale, who don't play enough to earn their salaries these days. Callum Wilson's contract is due to expire in the summer, but Eddie Howe could look to keep him on for another year. If that's the case, a pay as you play deal is the only one that makes sense.
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Signing Jonathan David on a free will open up so many options in the transfer market
As encouraging as it was for Darren Eales to say that the club was in a strong position to spend, PSR is still going to play a part, so we're not expecting us to go out and spend an average £50 million per player for the key positions needed, we know they will be looking for top alternatives with a cheap asking price.
Should Newcastle somehow win the race for the signature of Jonathan David when he becomes a free agent that would translate to a huge saving not having to spend money on buying a striker, that could help the club to acquire a top class right-winger which is where the bulk of the money will need to be spent.
Rumours are that a move for James Trafford is practically completed with a fee of £20 million touted. A central defender won't be cheap, but we doubt we'll be seeing Marc Guehi sums thrown around this year, and nor should we. £30m-£40m should be enough to find a good quality centre back.