Newcastle United have the monkey off their backs and a trophy to celebrate – but it’s fair to say fresh investment in Eddie Howe’s first team is still very much needed.
The last three transfer windows have been frustrating and dominated by PSR problems. However, it seems we’ll finally have some room for manoeuvre this summer as we look to strengthen Eddie Howe’s squad in several departments.
On that note, a number of familiar names – and a few new ones – have emerged in Luke Edwards’ latest piece for The Telegraph, which covers some of the targets currently on our radar.
The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards reports that discussions are already taking place about who Newcastle will target this summer, with moves for a right-sided forward, right-sided centre-back, goalkeeper and striker set to be priorities.
Starting on the right wing, he reveals that names discussed include Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, Brentford Bryan Mbeumo, Johan Bakayoko of PSV and Sporting Lisbon’s Francisco Trincao; who was linked earlier this week via the i’s Mark Douglas.
Up top, our interest in former target Hugo Ekitike – now scoring for fun at Frankfurt – has not gone away, while Lille’s Jonathan David and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko have been ‘regularly watched.’
Interestingly, Edwards also states that Bournemouth’s Justin Kluivert – a versatile no.10 who can also play out wide – has ‘featured prominently’ in early transfer meetings.
He claims a bid for the in-form Dutchman is one to watch, while fellow attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is a long-term target, not that either would be easy to sign given the superb seasons Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest are enjoying.
Moving to centre-backs, Edwards reveals that Newcastle still ‘retain an interest’ in Marc Guehi after a summer full of failed bids for the Crystal Palace captain last year. However, he adds that a deal remains ‘difficult.’
Bournemouth’s centre-back pairing of Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi also have big admirers at Newcastle, with the impressive Cherries duo regularly linked since the turn of the year.
In goal, Burnley’s James Trafford is another long-term target, with the report hinting that Martin Dubravka could yet depart, despite signing a new deal recently, should the Clarets stopper arrive on Tyneside.
Out of all 13 names mentioned above, who would you like to see sign at St James’ Park this summer?