Newcastle United are prioritising “quality” signings that can lift the level of the squad over quantity in the summer transfer window, i understands.
But the need to player trade means outgoings will be almost as important as incomings. Newcastle’s desire to avoid cashing in on their blue chip players – there is a not-for-sale warning on Alexander Isak despite interest and the Magpies are increasingly optimistic about retaining Bruno Guimaraes – means they will have to work diligently in a potentially difficult market.
With a new director of football set to arrive soon – Dougie Freedman appears to be the front-runner and i understands the club want to make an appointment soon – recruitment will be one of the big issues on the black and white agenda after a season that laid bare some of their shortcomings.
Whether the club go “all in” or not will depend on outgoings. Here’s what a bold black and white summer might look like.
Five players on Newcastle’s radar
Tosin Adarabioyo
Newcastle held talks with the Fulham defender’s representatives over the weekend and one source tells i they were “very positive” if not quite done yet. It would be a key capture, ticking the profitability and sustainability box while also improving the heart of Newcastle’s defence in a stroke.
There has been rare agreement from everyone in Newcastle’s recruitment brains trust and it’s believed a deal can be wrapped up relatively quickly.
Giorgi Mamardashvili
With Nick Pope to return, there has been some agonising about the goalkeeper department at St James’ Park. The defensive decline since Martin Dubravka has returned is borne out by the underlying statistics and a parting of the ways feels inevitable.
Newcastle have had scouts at Valencia in recent weeks and like the profile of Mamardashvili, the Georgia international. But insiders also say the club have a crop of good young goalkeepers who can offer internal solutions in the next 5-10 years.
Michael Olise
Near the top of Newcastle’s summer priorities is a forward to replace Miguel Almiron, whose starts have slowed in recent weeks. Sources suggest versatility, potential and pace are being prioritised in recruitment meetings.
Is Olise realistic without a Champions League carrot? Possibly not. But he would be a prize capture this summer – the equivalent of landing Sandro Tonali last year.
Benjamin Sesko
Sesko is a long-term Newcastle target who ticks every box. The club met his agent Elvis Basanovic when he was at RB Salzburg, before the move to his current club RB Leipzig was wrapped up.
The presence of a clause in his contract – understood to be around the £40m mark – makes him affordable if Newcastle can generate funds through sales. He remains a work in progress, scouts have noted, but is the right age and profile.
Pedro Neto
In a summer where we’ll see how serious Newcastle really are, judgement will arrive when it comes to landing targets like Neto. They like him – just as they like Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey – but these are tough deals to do. Persuading player and club to join is the sort of stuff aspiration clubs do.
And five who might leave
Martin Dubravka
Interest from Saudi Arabia and Germany may be encouraged. Dubravka is seeking a new deal and his camp believe his form warrants it but the decline in defensive performances while he’s been in goal may seal his fate.
Miguel Almiron
The rumblings in January of a move to the Saudi Pro League always felt unrealistic given the timing but the seed has been planted now. Has been a fine servant but in the moments that really matter – the clutch chance at Old Trafford, the big opportunity squandered against AC Milan at St James’ Park – he is just short of the level required. Will surely move on.
Sean Longstaff
A litmus test for Howe? He is a huge fan of Longstaff and does not want the midfielder to leave. He praises his intelligence, work rate and ability privately and was moved to publicly defend him in the face of criticism earlier this season. But his departure would represent pure profit and head off at the pass any difficult decisions around Guimaraes.
Callum Wilson
It would be difficult to find someone with his strike rate and Premier League pedigree in the market. But his fitness issues mean he is vulnerable this summer and the noises around Wilson are increasingly uncertain. There is interest – from Premier League clubs and Saudi Arabia – so this may be the transfer window when he leaves.
Yankuba Minteh
In the Netherlands they are incredulous at the idea Newcastle would cash in on a player who is – in the words of one Feyenoord source – “two years away from being world class”. But Chelsea, in their pursuit of profitability and sustainability headroom, have shown that ruthlessness can be required. If Newcastle can find a suitor for Minteh at the right price, the PSR equation might make sense. It would be a great shame if so.