Eddie Howe is keen to improve his Newcastle United squad in the summer transfer window, so here is one player from all 19 other 2021/22 Premier League clubs he should now try to sign.
The Magpies boss has a number of possible targets from around the English top-flight on his radar. But according to The Northern Echo, club chiefs will only hand Howe an £80m budget – below the circa-£100m spent in January – before any potential sales to bolster his war chest.
Newcastle figures are keenly aware of the need to remain on the correct side of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. It will mean United are unlikely to break the bank for players in each position, but can find lofts of talent to strengthen Howe’s ranks this summer.
Bernd Leno (Arsenal): Newcastle should sign new goalkeeper with Premier League player
Newcastle could hand Howe a new starting goalkeeper this summer whilst shopping in the Premier League by raiding Arsenal for Bernd Leno. Reports by 90min have claimed the Toon explored the German’s situation in January and he remains a key target with Arsenal ready to sell.
Leno enters the last year of his £100k-a-week contract at the Emirates Stadium this summer. So, the Gunners are prepared to cash in on the 30-year-old as boss Mikel Arteta only played the shot-stopper in eight fixtures this season. He also only featured in four league matches.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa): Newcastle should sign new striker with Premier League player
Newcastle ended the 2021/22 season with the Premier League’s 12th-best offence with 44 goals scored from 38 games. Howe, then, will likely look to target a new striker this summer and can improve the Toon attack by raiding Aston Villa for 26-year-old forward Ollie Watkins.
The Daily Mail report Steven Gerrard is prepared to sell the Villans’ top-scorer this summer, despite him netting 11 this term. Aston Villa will want a significant profit on the £33m they paid Brentford in 2020, though. West Ham also believe they have a strong chance at a deal.
Christian Eriksen (Brentford): Newcastle were confident of Premier League transfer
Howe is keen to improve Newcastle’s creativity this summer and The Northern Echo noted in April that Christian Eriksen features on his shortlist. Newcastle were also reported to be confident of tempting the Dane to move to St James’ Park when his contract ends on June 30.
Eriksen only penned a short-term deal with the Bees during the January market after leaving Inter Milan, having been fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. But showed at Brentford he can still be a top Premier League creator with a goal and four assists in 11 games.
Marc Cucurella (Brighton): Howe can secure new first-choice left-back with Seagulls star
Newcastle may target a new first-choice left-back this summer if Howe opts against keeping Aston Villa loanee Matt Targett. One option worth the Toon boss considering is Brighton & Hove Albion dynamo Marc Cucurella. But the Spaniard is in-demand and will merit a big fee.
Reports by The Sun claim the Seagulls value the 23-year-old at £45m, just one year after he joined from Getafe for £15.5m. Chelsea are also eying Cucurella to possibly replace Marcos Alonso. But The Sun also note Manchester City are keen and TuttoJuve cite Tottenham and Juventus.
James Tarkowski (Burnley): Newcastle can save funds with Clarets’ exit-bound star
Newcastle can save some of the club’s budget this summer by agreeing a free transfer with James Tarkowski leaving Burnley. The defender will leave Turf Moor when his contract ends on June 30, and 90min report he is on United’s radar with Howe keen to sign a centre-back.
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea): Winger considering his Stamford Bridge future this summer
Christian Pulisic may be heading for the exit doors at Chelsea this summer as the Mirror hint the American is considering his future. Thomas Tuchel has lost faith in the Blues’ £58m man, leaving Pulisic downbeat at Stamford Bridge after starting 21 of his 38 games for eight goals.
Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace): Newcastle courting Eagles’ rarely-seen forward
Eberechi Eze endured a frustrating season with Crystal Palace this term having only made 13 Premier League appearances after an Achilles injury suffered last May. He also only scored a goal and created one, but The Sun have reported Newcastle are eying a £45m summer deal.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton): Summer move sees striker bounce back after tough year
The Daily Mail claim Newcastle and Arsenal have registered their interest in signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Everton this summer. The Sun also note the Toffees are prepared to sell the West Ham target for £60m after injuries hindered his season and scored just five goals.
A summer move could see the striker bounce back next season in new surroundings after a strong end to the term. Calvert-Lewin scored twice and created one in Everton’s final three Premier League games, netting his first since August before he suffered a quadriceps injury.
Kalvin Phillips (Leeds): England star could be Howe’s new anchor at St James’
Newcastle added creativity in the engine room this January by signing Bruno Guimaraes and could now add defensive resilience by raiding Leeds for Kalvin Phillips. The England star can take the Toon to another level and the Mirror note the £50m Manchester City target will snub Manchester United.
Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester): Turkey enforcer switches agent ahead of possible transfer
Caglar Soyuncu could be putting plans in place to leave Leicester this year, as the Daily Mail report the Turkey international has joined the LA-based Wasserman agency. He also enters the final year of his current Foxes contract this summer and may be sacrificed to raise funds.
Joe Gomez (Liverpool): Newcastle should sign Premier League player as Klopp sets his price
Howe could find a new central defender at Liverpool as the Express report the Reds will sell Joe Gomez for £23m. Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham are also tracking the 25-year-old’s situation closely as Jurgen Klopp only played him at centre-back six times this season.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City): Guardiola tells defender he can leave
Oleksandr Zinchenko could offer Newcastle a new option at left-back this year, as The Times report Pep Guardiola has told the Ukraine international he is free to leave Manchester City. The 25-year-old only started 18 of his 28 games this term and will be out of contract in 2024.
Dean Henderson (Manchester United): Newcastle target transfer for Premier League star
Newcastle are ready to pay Manchester United £15m to sign Dean Henderson this summer, according to The Northern Echo. Howe is eager to add a new first-choice goalkeeper and is confident of signing the England international, who did not play a league game this season.
Mathias Normann (Norwich): Relegation offers Howe chance to sign Norwegian
Norwich suffering relegation to the Championship could offer Newcastle a chance to sign Mathias Normann this summer. The Norway international impressed during his season-long loan at Carrow Road, but the Canaries may now struggle to trigger an £11m option to buy.
The Rostov midfielder shone in a box-to-box role in Norfolk and was often instrumental to Norwich’s best moments. He displayed an ability to glide past players, produce clever goals and contribute defensively. Aspects Howe would appreciate in his engine room next term.
Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton): Howe can sign defensive versatility in full-back
Howe could sign extra defensive support by signing Southampton’s versatile full-back Kyle Walker-Peters this summer. The £12m former Tottenham defender has shown this season he can provide Newcastle an option at left-back, as well as right-back or wide in midfield.
Harry Winks (Tottenham): Newcastle should raid north London for Premier League player
Newcastle have eyes on raiding north London this summer, with the Daily Mail reporting Howe admires Tottenham midfielder Harry Winks. Southampton also appreciate the 26-year-old anchor, who Spurs are willing to sell for £25m after falling heavily out of favour.
Emmanuel Dennis (Watford): Howe should rival West Ham for Premier League player
Howe should look to rival West Ham this summer, with the Mirror reporting David Moyes is ready to offer Watford £20m for Emmanuel Dennis. The striker is likely to leave the Hornets following their relegation to avoid taking an obliged pay cut while helping to lessen the loss in revenue.
Dennis enjoyed an impressive debut season as a Premier League striker this term, netting 10 goals and six assists in 33 games. He also offered a versatile attacking threat with outings on either wing, while scoring and creating from the flanks as the talisman of the Watford attack.
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham): Newcastle may have to rival double-money pay rise
Newcastle can balance Howe’s attack this summer by raiding West Ham for Jarrod Bowen to field opposite Allan Saint-Maximin. United currently lack a leading right-hand option to draw defences away from the left and create more spaces for Saint-Maximin to exploit next term.
Bowen produced a scintillating campaign this season as the driving force of the Irons attack. He became their first player since Paolo Di Canio to hit double digits for both goals (12) and assists (12) in the league, and now the Daily Mail note he could see his £60k-a/w pay double with a new deal.
Ruben Neves (Wolves): Newcastle interested in Ten Hag’s top Manchester United target
Newcastle are interested in signing Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves this summer, according to Sport. But The Sun note Erik Ten Hag has made the £50m Portuguese his top target with Manchester United. The Dutchman is a big fan of the dynamic 25-year-old Barcelona want.
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