Eddie Howe and Newcastle United will be hoping they end the club’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy when the 2024/25 season run-in begins. The Magpies already have one date at Wembley booked in the diary for the Carabao Cup Final against Liverpool on March 16 – and are are among the favourites to also lift the FA Cup after a number of Premier League sides were dumped out of the competition.
Qualifying for the Champions League next season is also a realistic aim for the Magpies, who are currently in seventh place but just three points off Man City in fourth. A clash with Nottingham Forest this weekend will also have a major say in the race for the top four, with the Tricky Trees currently in third place, just six points clear of the Toon.
Keeping key players fit will be a major boost for Howe and his side, with a number of their top four rivals still also fighting on European fronts. Newcastle don’t have to worry about midweek fixtures aside from ones already in the calendar.
Welcoming back the likes of Sven Botman and Joelinton from injury will be a huge boost to Newcastle’s end of season run-in, with the squad already lacking in depth after the summer’s transfer window – and more departures in January. Howe’s side have been here before and will have to use their nous between now and May to ensure the Magpies are in the best possible position come the summer.
That being said, ChronicleLive has predicted the best possible outcome for Newcastle this season, but that also being a realistic one at that;
New Alexander Isak deal
Although Newcastle have admitted they may have to sell players in order to reinvest into their squad, they won’t be parting with big name players – one of those being Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker is establishing himself as one of the best forward’s in Europe, if not world football.
He’ll play an integral part in Newcastle competing for major honours in the years to come, and tying him down to new terms will help fend off any interested parties. The Magpies themselves are in a strong position given Isak has a number of years left on his contract and have slapped a reported £150million asking price on his head.
(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
That being said, there’s a reluctance to sell him, even if interested parties are willing to pay the price. It says it all that clubs like Arsenal and Barcelona have a reported interest in Isak, with the Swede viewed as the final piece in the puzzle for those respected clubs.
If they think he’s good enough to help them pick up silverware, then it’s obvious Newcastle do as well. Extending his stay at St James’ Park is a no brainer, though discussions are expected to start at the end of the season. If they are able to agree new terms before then, it’ll be a major boost ahead summer transfer plans.
Ending the 70-year trophy drought
Winning silverware this year would be the ultimate prize for Newcastle. That would signify the real beginning of a new era and huge mentality shift at St James’ Park. The moment the Magpies win their first piece of silverware will be a huge weight off their shoulders.
They have a great opportunity to do so next month when they take on Liverpool – although they couldn’t have a tougher opponent. That being said, Liverpool have shown signs of weakness in recent weeks, losing ground in the Premier League title race with draws against Everton and Aston Villa.
Newcastle will be hoping Liverpool’s struggles continue, but they also know their own form needs an uplift before then. Whatever happens at Wembley next month, it might not be the final opportunity to win a trophy this season, so long as they defeat Brighton in the FA Cup on March 2.
The Premier League title is some way out of reach, but the FA Cup is another realistic achievement this season. Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea have all been dumped out of the competition, with Man City arguably the toughest side left in it.
Transfer agreements
Getting transfer business done early is always a major boost, but much of that may depend on where Newcastle finish in the table. If they are able to offer potential targets Champions League football next season, then it’ll be a huge boost in negotiations.
There are a number of high profile stars who are out of contract this summer – with Jonathan David one of those linked with a move to St James’ Park. Newcastle will have to fend off reported interest from Barcelona for the Canadian international, but he’d be available on a free transfer this summer, and the Magpies could in theory enter talks with him now about a potential move.
His wages won’t come cheap, but he would provide some much needed depth up front, without having to pay a mega money transfer fee. It’s these type of deals in the ongoing battle with PSR that could make all the difference.
Newcastle are expected to be in a strong position when it comes to passing the Premier League’s rules this summer, unlike this time 12 months ago – where they were forced to cash-in on Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson. We could see a huge window on the horizon and if the Magpies hierarchy knew they weren’t going to be busy in January, you would expect them to already have plans in place for the summer.
Paul Mitchell has spoken about Newcastle needing to find value in the transfer market and taking advantage of emerging scenarios is something the Magpies have done well in recent years – signing Nick Pope from relegated Burnley, while Tino Livramento joined from relegated Southampton.
One player the Toon have kept their eye on in recent months is Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford and if the Clarets miss out on promotion from the Championship, he could be another shrewd addition for a reasonable transfer fee.
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