Eddie Howe has his full focus on the Premier League and this weekend’s Carabao Cup final, while Newcastle United’s recruitment chiefs work away on plans behind the scenes.
After limited spending in three successive windows, coupled with a brighter financial future laid out in the club’s recently released accounts, there is optimism that this summer may be different as the purse strings are loosened somewhat.
With the summer window hurtling closer, Chronicle Live assesses the current state of play with incomings and outgoings.
Centre-back on the radar
Newcastle’s backline options currently look thin on the ground but even if Howe had all assets available to him there is still a nagging feeling that a new arrival is needed in that particular position. Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are both in their early thirties, Jamaal Lascelles looks to be approaching the business end of his Magpies career and Sven Botman is sidelined once again.
Newcastle, as such, will pursue a central defensive addition this summer after missing out on top targets in recent windows. The well-documented Marc Guehi saga of 2024 needs no going over, while St James’ Park scouts firmly admired Abdukodir Khusanov before Manchester City swooped for the Uzbekistan international in January.
Keep an eye on Benfica’s Antonio Silva, who has long been on United’s radar and looks to have decreased in value of late despite previous interest from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.
Kelly’s Juventus start
From a potential incoming to a recent outgoing. Lloyd Kelly departed the club in January on an initial loan deal but Italian side Juventus have an obligation to buy the former Bournemouth star for £20m come the summer.
After paying a £3m loan fee to Newcastle earlier this year, Juve must part with £12m – plus a potential £5.4m in add-ons should they qualify for any European competition this season. As it stands, the Turin outfit look set to achieve that feat with ease.
Juventus currently sit in fourth – which would guarantee Champions League football – and are seven points clear of the European chasing pack, led by seventh-place Fiorentina.
Kelly’s life in Turin didn’t get off to the best start, with the centre-back struggling in his opening games for the club. However, the Italian media and Serie A pundits appear to be coming around the former Toon star as he settles into his new surroundings.
Hands off approach to summer window
Back on Tyneside, there is a desire to keep United’s strongest players at the club beyond the upcoming window. That message was sent out loud and clear by CEO Darren Eales this week.
“We are striving, as a club, to be at the top table and we want our best players here. And to be honest it shows the value Isak has that they talk about him all the time,” he said.
To ensure that desire can become reality depends heavily on what United do between now and the end of the season. Not only do the best players want Champions League football but another year without a spot in Europe’s premier competition would do little to help bolster Newcastle’s finances further.
On Isak in particular, the Magpies feel confident of fending off any potential suitors given his hefty price tag, lengthy contract and happiness on Tyneside.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-transfer-state-play-31163004
