· 14 May 2025, 21:00
**The current season isn't over yet, and there's still a fair bit to play for, but that hasn't stopped Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith from looking ahead to next season.**
Newcastle United can still finish in second place in the Premier League this season if they win their next two games, and that seems to be enough for former Arsenal and England striker Alan Smith to believe Eddie Howe's men can mount a title charge next season.
The Magpies are expected to be very active in the summer transfer window after biding their time and building up headroom in terms of PSR to attack the upcoming trading period.
There are several positions that need strengthening as Newcastle gear up for a huge campaign back in Europe, whichever competition it may be.
If anyone can lead Newcastle to a title race, it's Eddie Howe
Alan Smith doesn't feel Newcastle are too far away from challenging for the Premier League title
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Alan Smith was speaking to bestbettingsites.co.uk (h/t [The Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-aiming-title-next-31641357)) about Newcastle's chances next season.
> "It’s an interesting one. You want to secure your place now. You want to become a Champions League side and continually finish in that top four, top five."So that’s the first port of call because they did it and then dropped out, didn’t they? Which was a disappointment."With some acquisitions, they might feel, well, we can have a little go at this. So much depends on Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal. They are below those levels at the moment, no question."But the momentum up at Newcastle is such a big thing. And they’ve got it at the moment.
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> "It’s a heck of a task to win the title next year. But they’ll be aiming, they’ll be looking up rather than down. But another Champions League finish would be the first port of call."
Can Newcastle mount a title challenge?
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If we manage to finish second this season after the start we made, and with a few top-quality additions in the summer, then why can't we have a crack at the title?
It's probably too soon to win it, and the aim will be to finish as high as we can while still performing well in Europe, but the belief that this team has right now, as long as the new arrivals can buy into it, then who knows what will happen?
It's still surreal to have Newcastle United talked about in these conversations, but we're loving it and we're buying into the hype.