The latest Premier League transfer headlines - including updates from Everton, Leeds and Newcastle United
Newcastle United secured Champions League qualification by the finest of margins with a fifth place finish despite an almost fatal slip-up at home to Everton on the last day of the season. It marks arguably the Magpies best league season since being crowned league champions in 1926/27 after the club also delivered major silverware back to its supporters for the first time in 70 years with a Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool in March.
Eddie Howe has now had three full seasons in charge of Newcastle since steering the club away from relegation in 2022/23 and has secured Champions League qualification in two of those campaigns while transforming the St James’ Park outfit into one of the strongest teams in the division.
However, Howe will be more than aware of the need for signings after finishing seventh during the 2023/24 season in a campaign which was ultimately marred slightly by an avalanche of injury issues. Squad depth will be paramount if Newcastle are to establish themselves as European regulars and one position the club are expected to strengthen is in the striker department.
Alexander Isak has scored a phenomenal 27 league goals in 42 matches this term, but when the Swede hasn’t been at his best, the Magpies have at times struggled in front of goal with no other player getting into double figures this season across all competitions.
Newcastle United target star they nearly signed three years ago
Newcastle United want to add another top-class forward to compete with Alexander Isak next season and the I Paper understands that Brighton’s Joao Pedro sits near the top of the team’s list of targets.
The Magpies interest in the Brazilian stretches all the way back to 2022 when Fabrizio Romano falsely claimed the club were closing in on a deal to sign the striker from Watford. In the end, Pedro completed a club-record £30m move to Brighton the following summer, and he has proven to be a huge hit on the South Coast with 30 goals and 10 assists in 70 appearances across all competitions, including 10 in the league this season. The 23-year-old can play all across the front three and is blessed with excellent speed, agility and an excellent eye for goal.
Howe stressed on Sunday that he wants the club to move quickly to get revenues in the building in time for pre-season and it remains to be seen whether sporting director Paul Mitchell’s bombshell departure will have an effect on matters on Tyneside when it comes to recruitment.
The 3AM verdict: Newcastle United desperately need more options in attack if they are to cope with the demands of European football - and Pedro has proven from his six goals in six games during last term’s Europa League that he’s a player capable of thriving on the continent. Pedro is a player that would suit Eddie Howe’s style of football well but the one barrier could be reaching an agreement on the price tag, with the Amex side known for driving a hard bargain.
Leeds United and Everton battle to land 88-goal striker
Newcastle’s recent 1-0 defeat to Everton at St James’ Park is expected to mark the end of Callum Wilson’s incredible five-season love affair with the North East Club. The 33-year-old is out of contract this summer and the North East club have opted against activating an automatic one-year extension to instead divert discussion towards an incentive based deal, according to The Athletic.
While it’s not yet confirmed to be the end for Wilson at Newcastle, it appears increasingly unlikely the forward will leave the club after scoring 49 Premier League goals in 130 appearances across all competitions.
The England international’s progress has been hampered by injuries and he’s failed to score in 18 league games this season with 16 of those being cameos from the subs bench. Everton and Leeds United are believed to be watching the striker’s situation closely as they weigh up whether to sign the experienced star on a free transfer, as per Sun Sport.
The 3AM verdict: Wilson may not have hit the heights expected of him this season but he remains a formidable finisher with excellent movement in the final third - it’s still only two seasons ago that he managed to score 18 in a top-flight campaign and his experience could prove invaluable especially for a club like Leeds as they bid to survive in the top-flight. Overall, he has 88 Premier League goals, which proves he’s capable of being a worthwhile addition to either club if he can remain injury free.
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