The summer transfer window opens in just a few weeks time and it promises to be a big one.
We have two massive games before then – Arsenal away on Sunday and Everton at St James’ Park next weekend – but the club will already be stepping up their recruitment plans as we look to strengthen in at least our key positions.
A goalkeeper, centre-back, right-winger and striker are thought to be top priorities and our PSR position appears to be in a much healthier place this time around, giving us scope to spend big ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Quality over quantity may be this summer’s strategy and it seems a top-five finish may be essential to securing a certain £60m target, along with others…
Bryan Mbeumo is one of several ‘top targets’ who see Champions League football as a ‘priority’ ahead of a potential summer move, according to Mark Douglas at [the i](https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/newcastle-psg-target-sven-botman-wants-to-stay-3689748).
He reports that Newcastle may have competition from champions Liverpool and Man Utd for the £60m-rated winger, but reveals that Brentford are under no PSR-related pressure to sell and are yet to receive any formal approaches.
It has previously been suggested that Liam Delap is also prioritising European football, while Newcastle’s slim hopes of landing Wolves’ Matheus Cunha and Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen are thought to hinge on our ability to offer Champions League football.
We don’t need reminding, but this just highlights the importance of our final two games and making sure of a top five finish, which would be secured with one more win.
It’s perhaps another reason to hope Spurs beat Man Utd in next Wednesday’s Europa League final, as the Red Devils may be at a significant disadvantage in the race to sign Mbeumo should they miss out on Champions League football next season.
As for Liverpool, Mo Salah signing a new deal makes you wonder where Mbeumo would fit in at Anfield. As a out and out right-winger, do the Reds really pay £60m for a back-up to the league’s top scorer?
It will be a massive boost in more ways than one if Newcastle secure Champions League football for 2025/26.
As Douglas reports, it would immediately bolster our hopes of landing leading targets this summer, with many top players prioritising a chance to play in Europe’s elite competition.
Then there is what it does for the current group, with Alexander Isak’s position around a new deal and staying on Tyneside likely to be boosted significantly if we’re able to offer Champions League football.
Last but not least, there is the financial boosts. Not just the merit money and TV payouts, but the commercial benefits of Newcastle United being seen and screened across the world.
More sponsorship opportunities could also come our way, while there may also be clauses in current deals – Adidas may be one of them – where we are paid additional sums to advertise certain brands on Europe’s biggest stage.