Newcastle United’s midfield is set for a shakeup this summer when the transfer window opens ahead of the next campaign.
Whatever happens with the core three of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, there’s likely going to be at least one new addition to the midfield pack.
Bruno and Tonali are going to be constantly linked with moves away from Newcastle; that’s just the reality we have to deal with. Whether those rumours turn into truths, only time will tell.
There is expected to be some movement from the midfield pack, though, with Joe Willock likely to move on before next season, and he will need to be replaced.
While rubbishing the rumours of Bruno Guimaraes being in ‘advanced talks’ with Manchester United, Mark Douglas wrote in The iPaper that Newcastle have been scouring Ligue 1 for fresh talent.
The latest name watched is Djaoui Cisse, with Newcastle scouts recently in France to watch the Rennes midfielder in action.
22-year-old Cisse has played 21 times for Rennes this season and has eight caps for France at the Under-21 level, where he’s also bagged four goals. In his latest piece for The i, Douglas said:
“Sources in France have indicated that Djaoui Cisse, of Rennes, is another who has been watched.
“But with doubts about Joe Willock’s future, Newcastle know they are likely to have to move for at least one midfielder this summer regardless of what happens with Tonali.”
Douglas also highlighted our growing interest in Moncao’s Lamine Camara, who has been linked previously. The Magpies could be creating a list to work through, or they could be gearing up for a dual raid on Ligue 1.
The pressure is on Ross Wilson this summer. Not just because he failed to swoop into action in January, which was his first transfer window in his role as sporting director, but because the recruitment last year has been heavily criticised.
Paul Mitchell leaving a month into the last summer transfer window disrupted everything, and the recruitment team seemed to be scrambling all summer to get business done. Ultimately, it felt like we made a few panic buys, particularly in the striker department.
Wilson has his feet thoroughly under the table now, so there are no excuses for him not to get things right this summer. This could be Newcastle’s most important transfer window since January 2022. With a sporting director in place, one that Eddie Howe insists is a good fit this time, they’ve placed pressure on themselves to get thrings right.
At least before, with Dan Ashworth and Paul Mitchell, there were cracks in the relationships that could be used as excuses.