Newcastle United could take advantage of the Premier League’s three relegated teams to sign some quality players on the cheap this summer.
The summer transfer window is quickly approaching, though it’s not yet clear what sort of budget Newcastle United will be operating with.
Newcastle are expected to spend heavily this summer after a fallow year due to PSR restrictions but the calibre of player they’ll be able to sign remains unclear.
If Eddie Howe’s side secure their Champions League place on the final day against Everton, then they will be in the hunt for top players like Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali.
If they slip up and go into the Europa League, then different targets will have to be chased but, either way, there’s nothing wrong with a good bargain.
Howe needs to bolster his squad depth and that means signing good players who are happy to play a rotating role, which aren’t always easy to find.
But signing some of the quality players that relegated trio Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton do have could be the way, as going from relegation to European competition is a tantalising jump.
Here are five such players Newcastle should try and sign this summer.
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Liam Delap
The player half of the Premier League seems to be chasing is Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap.
Despite his side’s struggles, Delap has been an attacking force defenders have struggled with and he’s netted 12 goals in a terrible team. That’s 34.3% of their 35 goals in total.
With a £30m relegation release clause in his contract, Delap is a hot property on the transfer market.
Newcastle have been one of the sides heavily linked and he would be the perfect backup to Isak.
Sadly, Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be keen and will likely offer a starting place.
Newcastle know signing Delap is going to be an uphill battle.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis
He might be a part of the second-worst team in Premier League history and in the middle of a defence that has conceded 84 goals, but Taylor Harwood-Bellis remains a very good player.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 18 |  LeicesterLeicester | 37 | 6 | 7 | 24 | 33 | 78 | -45 | 25 |
| 19 |  IpswichIpswich | 37 | 4 | 10 | 23 | 35 | 79 | -44 | 22 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 37 | 2 | 6 | 29 | 25 | 84 | -59 | 12 |
The classy centre-back is one of the few players to come out of Southampton’s season with his reputation intact and has shown the skills needed to play at a higher level.
Newcastle have quality centre-backs but they’re either ageing or injury-prone. A 23-year-old Harwood-Bellis would add options and future-proof the back-line.
Bilal El Khannous
Leicester City have managed to rival Southampton in how bad they’ve been, despite having 13 more points to their name.
The Foxes even went eight games in a row without scoring, so for an attacker to still impress in such brutal conditions speaks of just how good Bilal El Khannouss has been.
The young Moroccan was recruited from Genk in the summer for £21m and he has shone with his quick feet and rapid pace on the flanks.
With Anthony Gordon’s recent struggles, Newcastle might look to sign another winger in the window and with more financial troubles on the horizon for Leicester, El Khannouss is sure to be available.
Plenty of teams are going to want him, though.
Kyle Walker-Peters
It’s not Newcastle’s fantastic first XI that has held them back from challenging for the Premier League title this season but a lack of quality on the bench.
Howe’s squad lacks strength in depth compared to the other top sides and the cracks widen when injuries mount up. The manager has worked wonders with limited options but it will hamstring the side unless it’s changed.
Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and Kieran Trippier have all been brilliant but injuries have exposed Howe’s shallow squad.
Kyle Walker-Peters might not be a glamorous name but he would remedy the full-back situation by proving dependable cover for both flanks and he has a wealth of Premier League experience.
All that is available on a free transfer seems like a no-brainer.
Jamie Vardy
Another player who will be a free agent this summer is Premier League icon Jamie Vardy.
Vardy is leaving Leicester aged 38 and is obviously no longer capable of playing every minute of every game but he could be just what Newcastle need as backup to Isak, especially if Delap can’t be signed.
As he proved in his final Leicester game, Vardy still has a quick turn of pace and is just as sharp when taking on a goalkeeper as he ever was. He could be a perfect game-changer to bring on towards the end of tough games and grab a late goal.
Ben Foster thinks Newcastle should sign Vardy and, with all his experience and quality, he would be a much better option than Callum Wilson or Will Osula.
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