Ready to go again? Newcastle United supporters have to wait for several interminable months until their team will be competing competitively once again.
But when Eddie Howe does lead his team back out onto the field, he will be doing so having ended the club's 70-year wait for major domestic silverware after deservedly beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
Moreover, the Magpies' efforts across the Premier League campaign led to the euphoria of final-day success in the top flight, sealing a fifth-place spot and unlocking the doorway back into the Champions League.
Newcastle did it all having endured a miserable 2024 summer transfer window, also starting the campaign off on weak footing. Now, PIF are in a better position for compliance with PSR, and signings are to be expected.
While incomings are expected, one or two may need to go. Chiefly, Anthony Gordon could be at risk, with Liverpool interested and United listing him at £80m.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe before the match-1
Let's have a look at how the Magpies boss might pull it all together.
1 GK - James Trafford
james-trafford-burnley
Nick Pope has been a fantastic servant for Newcastle, but a conclave has been held to determine whether a new face is needed between the sticks, and James Trafford has been deemed the right fit.
Reports claim Newcastle have prepared a £20m offer for the Burnley shot-stopper, whose manager Scott Parker has hailed him for his "world-class" ability.
2 RB - Tino Livramento
Alexis Mac Allister challenges Tino Livramento
Manchester City's bid for Tino Livramento has hit a standstill, and let's hope it stays that way, for the robust and dynamic full-back is shaping into one of the best in the business.
As journalist Zach Lowy put it: "Livramento isn’t just one of the best right backs in England, but one of the best left backs too."
3 CB - Marc Guehi
Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi reacts
Last summer, Newcastle failed with not one, not two, not three, but four bids for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
Now, the Toon are back in for the Three Lions star, who won the FA Cup in May and is just one year away from free agency.
The Eagles know they are fast running out of time to cash in on their £50m-rated superstar.
4 CB - Sven Botman
Sven-Botman-Newcastle
Sven Botman has endured another injury-wrecked campaign, but he'll be hoping to build up his fitness across the off-season and form a rock-solid partnership with Guehi over the coming years.
However, with Dan Burn and Fabian Schar still in the mix, Howe could certainly have a wealth of talented defensive options to choose from.
5 LB - Lewis Hall
Newcastle's Lewis Hall
Sidelined since March following ankle surgery, Lewis Hall proved one of Newcastle's biggest success stories last season, producing performances of age-belying completeness to solidify himself as one of the best young players in the Premier League.
A shining endorsement of United's recruitment set-up.
6 DM - Bruno Guimaraes
bruno-guimaraes-newcastle-united-premier-league
Newcastle could stake their case to having the finest midfield in the Premier League, and Bruno Guimaraes has been the linchpin.
The complete package and then some, signing the Brazilian general from Lyon for £40m was one of PIF's first moves back in January 2022.
Eddie Howe's Most-used Players at Newcastle
Rank
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Data via Transfermarkt
No Newcastle player has featured more regularly than Guimaraes under Howe's wing.
7 CM - Sandro Tonali
sandro-tonali-newcastle-premier-league
One of Newcastle's best players across the 2024/25 campaign - if not the best - Sandro Tonali's redemption arc has been a thing to behold, such an elegant and intelligent part of United's build-up play, of their backline protection.
The decision to place the Italy international in the deep-lying midfield role in lieu of Guimaraes last autumn kicked off the free-winning run of results, creating a foundation for glory further down the line.
8 CM - Joelinton
Joelinton-Newcastle
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Newcastle need to make a series of signings this summer, but the centre of the park is one area where moves should be catered toward depth, rather than high-profile investment, with Joelinton's brutish energy adding the perfect counterpoint to Tonali's class and Guimaraes' all-influencing ability.
9 RW - Anthony Elanga
Anthony Elanga scores vs Spurs
Nottingham Forest signed Anthony Elanga from Manchester United in 2023 and he hasn't looked back, with his performances across 2023/24 leading Newcastle to launch a swiftly rejected £50m bid on transfer deadline day last summer.
While Bryan Mbeumo has opted to join the chaos at Old Trafford this summer, Newcastle can still bag themselves a high-level winger in the 23-year-old Elanga, hailed for his "special" qualities by Nuno Espirito Santo.
Anthony Elanga's Premier League Career
Season
24/25 - Forest
23/24 - Forest
22/23 - Man Utd
21/22 - Man Utd
20/21 - Man Utd
Data via Transfermarkt
Making the move to the City Ground proved a career-defining move for the Sweden star in the best sense, and now he must take the next bold step in his development, with the Magpies lurking.
10 LW - Joao Pedro
Brighton forward Joao Pedro
If Newcastle sell Gordon, they will bank up to £80m. Redirecting that toward a dynamic forward, such as Joao Pedro, would be a sure-fire way to keep the club firing on all cylinders.
According to The Telegraph, the Tynesiders have identified Pedro - who could fetch £59m - as the perfect man to join the club after missing out on Mbeumo.
He's scored 30 goals and added ten assists across 70 appearances for the Seagulls, and at 23, is only going to get better and better.