One area in which Newcastle will surely look to strengthen is in midfield.
Eddie Howe generally operates with a three-man engine room, for which he has four recognised players in the squad.
Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock are all key members of the squad but the options outside them look light. Elliot Anderson could perhaps operate there but that is hardly the most convincing of ideas at this early stage in his career.
Indeed, Howe has already admitted he did not want Jonjo Shelvey to leave in January, which further underlines the lack of depth.
Guimaraes is the only central midfielder to have arrived since the takeover. That is not a criticism of the recruitment by any means as there were a number of other areas that needed strengthening as a priority but its clear midfield remains light.
Still, perhaps that could change this summer.
Newcastle ready to enter race for Moises Caicedo
According to The Sunday Mirror (12/02, p70), the Magpies are ready to enter the race and bid to sign Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo this summer.
While the Ecuadorian international only recently signed a new contract at the Amex Stadium following a botched attempt to join Arsenal in January, the 21-year-old will still reportedly be in demand.
The Gunners, Manchester United and Chelsea are all touted as interested parties and it is claimed Caicedo will carry a price tag of around £90m.
Dan Ashworth has already given verdict on Moises Caicedo
Newcastle’s sporting director Dan Ashworth was at Brighton when they brought the Ecuadorian to England back in the summer of 2021.
Around that time, Ashworth described the new arrival as “really good” player which, given what we have seen since, is probably an understatement.
Caicedo ranks within the top five players in the Premier League for both tackles and interceptions per game (3 and 1.6 respectively via WhoScored). Given Guimaraes has previously expressed a desire to play further forward, perhaps a signing such as his would help unleash the Brazilian.