Paul Mitchell has the big task of dealing with the summer transfer window at Newcastle United.
The last three transfer windows have been dire for fans to endure with a lack of arrivals for Eddie Howe’s squad. Discounting Lewis Hall, who joined on a permanent deal after an initial loan spell. There were no players signed to improve the starting XI last summer but there were attempts to recruit.
Newcastle’s pursuit of Marc Guehi was heavily reported in the summer but the 24-year-old stayed put, despite several bids being placed by the Magpies throughout the window. Paul Mitchell was confident of signing Guehi but was ultimately left with egg on his face after all of the rejected approaches.
While the lack of spending was frustrating at the time, Newcastle are now better positioned to spend with more freedom in the upcoming transfer window. Newcastle sold Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly in January which will also be a big help for their financial situation in the summer.
As Newcastle prepare to spend in the summer, a new report has stated exactly what Howe needs to do to make life easy for Mitchell.
Newcastle must qualify for Champions League to land targets
The last few weeks in the Premier League have been rough for Newcastle. They were embarrassed by AFC Bournemouth at St James’ Park, snapping their nine-game winning streak across all competitions. After bouncing back against rock-bottom side Southampton, the Magpies lost their next two games to Fulham and Manchester City.
The defeats left Newcastle in seventh place, three positions away from a guaranteed spot in the Champions League next season. There is still a chance a fifth-place finish could be enough to play in Europe’s top competition due to the UEFA coefficient rules which England currently leads.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 7 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 25 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 42 | 33 | 9 | 41 |
According to inews, it will be a “game-changer” if Newcastle can offer their transfer targets Champions League football. Those were the comments from an internal meeting to discuss the upcoming transfer window – it’s very clear what Howe has to do to help Mitchell.
The report uses Arsenal as an example of how much the Champions League has helped their revenue stream. They are set to receive an extra £100m because of the updated new, expanded format coupled with improved TV and prize money.
The Magpies are set to release their financial accounts for the last year in due course. They are believed to be “much improved” but still need to be signed off by the PIF.
Newcastle benefitted from playing in Europe’s top competition last season, bagging £30m from their involvement. If they were to play in the tournament again next season, they would be in line for a much bigger sum of money.
- READ MORE – ‘Phenomenal’ winger scouted by Newcastle United just dropped 10/10 Champions League display
When Newcastle will finalise their transfer wishlist
The summer transfer window is still a couple of months away, but that has not stopped club officials from discussing targets. While names have been put forward, including Dean Huijsen who is open to joining Newcastle, a definitive transfer list has not yet been put together.
It is believed that Newcastle will finalise transfer targets in March. Then there will be a better idea of what competitions the Magpies will be playing in next season.
Newcastle will be focussing on young players in the upcoming transfer window, rather than established names. Mitchell wants Howe to develop the young stars and make them into players who will eventually replace the existing players within the squad who are reaching the end of their careers.
With 13 games left in the Premier League season, Howe must rally the troops to ensure they have the best possible chance of qualifying for the Champions League. As it stands, it would be a remarkable achievement.
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