Newcastle should now expect to see transfer movement for two major targets

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Newcastle United are yet to make a major breakthrough in the summer transfer window, and Eddie Howe will hope that changes soon.

The only arrival has been Yankuba Minteh, the 18-year-old winger who has immediately been loaned out to Feyenoord. He is very much one for the future.

While youth additions are important, Howe’s main focus is strengthening his squad ahead of next season, with his team due to compete in Europe’s most prestigious competition – the Champions League.

It is clear that Newcastle need reinforcements, and that is proving to be difficult at this early stage. We are now looking at a higher calibre of player, and that means prices are higher and competition can be more fierce.

Two major names that have been linked with transfers to St James’ Park are Declan Rice and James Maddison, with both players set to be on the move this summer. Rice has been told he can leave West Ham, while a Leicester departure is inevitable for Maddison as he enters the final year of his contract.

Newcastle’s pursuit of both players has been fruitless so far, although they are both still available to sign. Whether or not the Magpies can pull off a deal remains to be seen, but we should at least see some movement regarding both Rice and Maddison very soon.

Newcastle transfer targets’ futures can now be resolved after England duty

That is because the most recent England camp is now over. Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions have been in action, playing two qualifiers for Euro 2024. It was a productive international break, with England beating Malta 4-0 and North Macedonia 7-0.

11 goals in two games is a very impressive tally, one of which came from Toon striker Callum Wilson. He scored a penalty against Malta to become the first Newcastle player to score for England since Michael Owen in 2007.

The Magpies will hope to have more England internationals in their squad in the coming years, and currently have their eyes on two.

Rice is one of Newcastle’s most ambitious targets this summer, but he is the exact type of midfielder that Howe is looking for. The ‘top class‘ 24-year-old is perfect for the Newcastle midfield, but will likely be too expensive.

However, it was recently stated that the club still plan to speak to Rice about a possible move up north.

Maddison is a more realistic target, and he is someone who the Magpies have been interested in for almost a year. This summer is our best chance of signing him, but it currently looks like Tottenham are leading the race for the £50million man.

Regarding Maddison, Newcastle need to find out where they stand as soon as possible. If he really does prefer a move to Spurs then we can move on to other targets.

Luckily, we should now find out very soon what Maddison and Rice’s intentions are. The conclusion of the international break should lead to their club futures being resolved in the near future. Both West Ham and Leicester will be keen to sell quickly, ensuring they have as long as possible to reinvest the money into their squads ahead of next season.

Newcastle probably won’t sign Rice, and a deal for Maddison is looking unlikely as it stands. But at least we should know for certain very soon now that the distraction of England duty has been and gone.