Newcastle have been surprisingly quiet within the transfer market this summer, nonetheless, it appears that would all be set to vary. The Magpies splashed over £90million of their Saudi money back in January following the club’s well-documented mega-money takeover, and Eddie Howe is now expected so as to add further fresh faces to his squad amid interest in Chelsea trio Conor Gallagher, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Armando Broja, in addition to highly-rated Benfica hitman Goncalo Ramos.
With hundreds of thousands now at their disposal, Newcastle were expected to make quite a few high-profile signings in the present window, nonetheless, thus far, the Magpies have only moved so as to add Sven Botman from Lille, Nick Pope from Burnley and Matt Targett on a everlasting basis from Aston Villa. With just a couple of weeks remaining within the transfer window, that is now expected to vary.
The North East club are understood to have held talks with Chelsea over the potential for taking £45m-rated duo Gallagher and Hudson-Odoi on loan before this summer’s deadline, while the £20m-rated Broja can be on their radar. On top of that, the Magpies are expected to imminently submit a gap offer for Benfica striker Ramos – a 21-year-old forward considered to be one of the exciting young attackers on the continent.
With Howe already having assembled an ambitious team expected to challenge for a European spot this season, the addition of further quality will likely leave Newcastle fans licking their lips at what could possibly be achieved in the present campaign. With that in mind, Express Sport take a more in-depth have a look at their potentially dazzling XI.
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Goalkeeper: Nick Pope
While Martin Dubravka has been an admirable servant for Newcastle since joining back in 2018, there might be no denying that Nick Pope offers an upgrade. The Magpies paid out £12m to snap up the goalkeeper from relegated Burnley in the summertime and that would well prove to be quite the snip.
The 6ft 6in stopper has amassed over 140 Premier League appearances during his time with the Clarets and his consistently impressive displays have seen him earn eight England caps so far. Pope also boasts two Burnley Player of the 12 months awards to his name in addition to an appearance within the 2019-20 Premier League Team of the 12 months.
The 30-year-old kept a clean sheet on debut in Newcastle’s comfortable 2-0 win over newly-promoted Nottingham Forest last weekend as he got off to the right start at St. James’ Park. Expect plenty more of those this season given the wealth of talent in front of him.
Defence: Trippier, Botman, Burn, Targett
With only 11 points on the board and precariously positioned one place above bottom within the Premier League table on the turn of the yr, Newcastle looked in real danger of dropping into the Championship – an unthinkable consequence given a Saudi Arabian-backed takeover saw them turn out to be one in all the richest clubs on the earth just a couple of months previous.
Nonetheless, the brand new owners splashed the money and all the pieces modified. Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Targett were all brought in because the Magpies sought to tighten up their leaky defence. The trio were key to the club achieving just that and it comes as little surprise to see Targett’s loan move made everlasting following his consistently impressive displays down the left.
Newcastle have since beaten off competition from AC Milan with a purpose to land Botman from Lille for a fee within the region of £35m to further bolster the backline. The arrival of the 22-year-old Dutchman, who boasts five Champions League appearances and a Ligue 1 title to his name, has seen some top-level European quality added to Howe’s defence.
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Midfield: Guimaraes, Gallagher, Joelinton
Should Newcastle complete an audacious try to sign Gallagher on loan this summer, the make-up of their midfield will likely be the envy of most within the Premier League. The Chelsea star would likely join two players who, very like Gallagher himself, possess a wealth of creativity and energy.
Bruno Guimaraes was doubtless one in all the Premier League’s star performers in the course of the second half of last season, following his £40m move from Lyon. The Brazilian creator also appeared to bring out one of the best in compatriot Joelinton, who looked rejuvenated having swapped a striking role for a more impactful and involved one in midfield.
Gallagher shone while on loan at Crystal Palace last season, netting eight goals and registering five assists in all competitions for the Eagles, while proving himself instrumental in all the pieces that Patrick Vieira’s side did well. The prospect of the 22-year-old playing alongside the eye-catching Guimaraes and the industrious Joelinton is a mouth-watering one indeed.
Attack: Hudson-Odoi, Broja/Ramos, Saint-Maximin
Having effectively bolstered the defence and midfield in January, it comes as a bit surprise to see the Magpies seeking to strengthen in attack. Newcastle have been guilty of an over-reliance on Callum Wilson for goals in recent times and with Chris Wood having didn’t make his mark since joining from Burnley back in January, fresh options are required up front.
A major amount of the Magpies attacking play comes through the mesmeric Allan Saint-Maximin down the left, so signing wantaway Chelsea winger Hudson-Odoi to play on the fitting would likely improve the balance inside Howe’s side and offer one other threat from a unique area. While Wilson stays a reliable source for goals, if Newcastle are to fulfil their ambitions of taking steps forward and potentially competing in European competition next season, greater strength in depth is required.
And that is exactly what Broja and Ramos would bring. The Blues striker has been the topic of intense interest this summer after a stellar season on loan with Southampton last term, while Ramos is revered across Europe as one in all the continent’s most fun young attackers. The pair could possibly be key to firing the Magpies forward in the approaching years.
Potential Newcastle XI (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Botman, Burn, Targett; Guimaraes, Gallagher, Joelinton; Hudson-Odoi, Broja/Ramos, Saint-Maximin.
