How Newcastle United could line up in August - if they land their top targets
- Sam Geen
- 9 June 2022
On the back of a fine second half to the season, Newcastle United’s new regime are looking to enhance their squad in the summer. Should they land their number one targets they will be quite a force.
Newcastle have reportedly earmarked a centre-back, left-back, midfielder, striker and wide forward in the transfer window, with the first one already checked off their list.
Matt Targett has signed permanently for the Magpies after a successful loan spell that saw the north-east club win ten of the 16 games in which he featured.
The 26-year-old should be the first of a raft of summer arrivals. With a fair wind, this is how Newcastle could line-up come August.
Goalkeeper: Martin Dubravka
The 33-year-old Slovakian international has had his critics as of late. However, it seems Newcastle's number one will stay put for the forthcoming season.
Rumours of a move for Manchester United's Dean Henderson were quickly shut down earlier this month.
Right-back: Kieran Trippier
Newcastle's first England international since Andros Townsend in 2016, Kieran Trippier looks a future captain of the club and will most definitely be a focal point for the Magpies next season.
Arguably, alongside the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin and Bruno Guimaraes, will be the first name on Eddie Howe's team sheet.
Centre-back: Sven Botman
The 22-year-old has been at the forefront of Newcastle's transfer plans since the January transfer window when they failed to reach an agreement with Lille for the Netherlands international.
It is reported the player will leave Lille this summer, although United face fierce competition from Italian champions AC Milan, who also like the look of the 6ft 4in defender.
Centre-back: Nathan Ake
Howe is looking to rekindle his relationship with the former Bournemouth defender this summer.
The pair enjoyed quite a time of it on the south coast with the Cherries finishing an impressive ninth in 2017.
Manchester City are reportedly looking for £50million for the 27-year-old, a figure that won't deter the Tyneside club.
Left-back: Matt Targett
Targett became Newcastle's first signing of the summer, in a deal worth £15million. A model of consistency, the Magpies appear to have picked up a bargain, with the fee having been agreed at the start of the loan spell.
Centre midfield: Bruno Guimaraes
A newfound Tyneside hero, he has quickly adapted to life in the Premier League and the Geordie faithful have responded in kind.
The Brazilian international scored five in 17 appearances and will spearhead the Mapgies push for European football.
Centre midfield: Lucas Paqueta
Paqueta has emerged as a top target for Newcastle as they look to reunite him with close friend Guimaraes.
The pair played together at Lyon and still line up alongside each other for the Brazilian national team.
The €60million asking price could be a stumbling block, however.
Centre midfield: Joelinton
Newcastle could start the season with a Brazilian midfield trio, with Joelinton having been transformed under Howe.
The former Hoffenheim man featured the most of any player under Newcastle's new management (2,046 minutes).
Right wing: Allan Saint-Maximin
The club's talisman struggled to endear himself to the Toon faithful in 2021/22, allowing his critics to come out in full force.
Nevertheless, despite flattering to deceive, the Frenchman scored (and assisted) five times in the Premier League, putting him only three goals behind top scorer Callum Wilson.
With better players around him, the former Nice winger should flourish.
Striker: Hugo Ekitike
Wilson is a fan favourite in the north-east but repeated injuries are becoming an issue. If the club wants to compete at the top end of the Premier League, a consistently fit striker is a must.
Step forward Hugo Ekitike. 'The next Thierry Henry' as the 19-year-old is known in France, is nearing a Newcastle move according to reports.
The young Reims striker found the net ten times in just 23 appearances in 2021/22.
Left wing: Yannick Carrasco
The Belgian international currently plays for Atletico Madrid, where he has contributed to 76 goals in six seasons in the Spanish capital.
Offering the versatility Howe craves, Carrasco can slot into any of the forward positions. Nevertheless, an asking price of €60million is not for the faint-hearted.
