Potentially in a position to spend again at long last this summer, Newcastle United have now reportedly joined the race to sign a £51m striker who's already received high praise from Alan Shearer.
Newcastle preparing for crucial Arsenal clash
There were stages in the first half of the season in which it seemed like Newcastle could miss out on Champions League football, as though their transfer failure was going to catch up to them. Now, however, with the Carabao Cup under their belt, the Magpies could finish as high as second in the Premier League. In fact, if they beat Arsenal this weekend, then Eddie Howe's side will go above the Gunners and into the top two.
Borussia Dortmund's Julian Brandt celebrates scoring their third goal with Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and teammates-1 Related
Newcastle battle Arsenal to sign star for less than £50m after scouts sent
What a signing he could be for the Magpies.
Howe is well aware of the importance of his side's trip to The Emirates this Sunday, too, as they look to take a major step towards Champions League qualification. He told reporters in his pre-match press conference: "It's not done yet. The picture can change game to game and I think we've got to be really focused on our next game and trying to win it.
"We have been, our preparation has been good and the focus is there from the players. Nothing is achieved until it's achieved. We have to be single minded in that and not get distracted."
Premier League's UCL race Points Games Played
Liverpool (C) 83 36
Arsenal 68 36
Newcastle United 66 36
Chelsea 66 37
Aston Villa 66 37
Manchester City 65 36
Nottingham Forest 62 36
Those at St James' Park need no reminder about the impact that Champions League football could have on their summer transfer window, either. A place among Europe's elite could help convince Alexander Isak to stay put amid interest from the likes of Arsenal, whilst also helping to attract key upgrades for Howe in the coming months.
Newcastle join race to sign "superb" Pedro
The Magpies could even attract a Premier League rival with Champions League football to offer. According to Caught Offside, Newcastle have now joined the race to sign Joao Pedro, who Brighton & Hove Albion have valued at a hefty €60m (£51m) amid interest from Tyneside as well as Liverpool, Aston Villa and others.
Whilst a deal to sign the forward won't come cheap, Pedro would provide Newcastle with an instant fail-safe in the event that Isak departs. The Brazilian, who has scored 10 goals and set up another six this season, has the potential and quality to replace the Swede in the long-term. What's more, he's also already got a fan in the form of Newcastle legend Shearer.
brighton-amex-stadium-joao-pedro
The iconic goalscorer sung Pedro's praises on Match of the Day after he scored in Brighton's 2-1 victory over Bournemouth in November, saying: "He was superb today and they just edged it in those forward positions. They are really strong with him, Rutter, Mitoma and Welbeck. Their understanding and they linked really well today in Rutter and Joao Pedro.”
The approval of Shearer certainly goes a long way in Newcastle, but whether it's enough for PIF to make their move for Pedro remains to be seen this summer.