Newcastle United have finally secured a trophy and the hope is that will just be the start but, to get to a new level, transfers will have to be made in the summer window.
The Carabao Cup was secured in thrilling fashion just over a week ago and the party isn’t over yet, with Newcastle United set to celebrate their triumph in the city on March 29.
Before long, though, attention will return to the Premier League and to winning more success in the future, as is the relentless march of football.
Eddie Howe has got the biggest of monkeys off Newcastle’s back and it’s hard to see it being another 70-year wait for the next trophy.
But if the Magpies are to seriously challenge for the title then improvements will have to be made on the squad this summer.
Newcastle have been frugal in recent windows to avoid breaking PSR rules but it’s expected the club can spend much more freely this summer after January sales.
Yet, that doesn’t mean they won’t be opposed to a bargain from the free agent market, with Newcastle already able to enter pre-contract talks with foreign-based players in the last months of their deals.
These nine players who are set to become free agents this summer would bring in some extra quality without costing millions.
Jonathan David
Jonathan David has felt like one of the game’s most highly-rated young strikers for touching a decade but he has, for now, resisted the big Premier League move he is perenially linked with.
However, after 23 goals and 10 assists this season and with his contract coming to an end, it could finally be the time.
Newcastle have scouted David previously and admire the Canadian but the likes of Barcelona, Manchester United, Tottenham and several others have also been linked.
There will be stiff competition for 25-year-old David’s signature but he would be perfect to lighten the load on Alexander Isak, especially with Callum Wilson’s deal coming to an end.
Jonathan Tah
Centre-back is a position Newcastle need to improve. Though cup final hero Dan Burn and Fabian Schar remain excellent, they are both in their 30s.
Sven Botman has been plagued by injuries for the last year, Lloyd Kelly has gone to Juventus and Emil Krafth is just a back-up. The Toon need to start preparing for the future, as their pursuit of Marc Guehi shows they already know.
Though he soon turns 30 himself, Jonathan Tah could be a cost-effective option for the summer.
The German stalwart was crucial to Bayer Leverkusen’s historic unbeaten Bundesliga triumph and Newcastle have been linked with Tah in the past.
Leroy Sane
Another German whose contract is coming to an end is Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane.
This signing would obviously be very ambitious given he would no doubt command high wages and he’s another 29-year-old, so you might not be getting a lot of years from the investment.
But Sane would bring an instant injection of sensational quality to the Newcastle front line and league-winning experience that Newcastle lack, having won the Premier League twice with Manchester City.
As of five months ago, Sane wasn’t interested in Newcastle and wanted a new contract in Munich but that stance could change if he continues to go without a new deal.
Frank Anguissa
Newcastle’s greatest strength, as typified by the sensational performance against Liverpool, is their midfield.
The balance of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton makes it the one area of the pitch Newcastle don’t need to immediately improve upon.
Yet, the quality noticeably drops when just one of the pieces is removed, better alternatives than Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff are needed.
Young Lewis Miley can fulfil that role long-term if his development continues but finding other players of higher quality who are happy to play a rotation role is difficult.
Yet, Napoli’s Frank Anguissa might be an interesting choice after his career improved dramatically at Napoli in recent years. His deal is coming to an end and he would be another combative but classy midfielder for the collection.
Tyrick Mitchell
Lewis Hall is Newcastle’s first-choice left-back after an incredible season but Newcastle remain light in the position, so much so that Tino Livramento had to fill in there at Wembley.
With Matt Targett a likely summer departure and Kieran Trippier advancing in years, younger competition at full-back could be useful and Crystal Palace star Tyrick Mitchell would dramatically strengthen Newcastle’s defensive depth.
Angel Gomes
Angel Gomes is another tidy midfield operator but, at 24, is much younger than Anguissa.
The former Manchester United starlet has blossomed at Lille and is another star the French club are likely to lose for nothing in June.
Newcastle reportedly want to sign Gomes but it is widely claimed that Tottenham might have beaten them to him.
Ola Aina
Ola Aina has been a revelation in Nottingham Forest’s remarkable season and has been one of the best right-backs in the Premier League.
Interest in the soon-to-be-free-agent is sure to be high and Newcastle should certainly be one of the clubs taking a look at the 28-year-old as another option to improve their full-back options.
Alex Meret
Another position Newcastle appear keen to strengthen is goalkeeper, even if they already have five on the books.
Nick Pope was excellent in the final but has had shaky moments when he’s been fit this season, while Martin Dubravka clearly isn’t fancied despite his strong performances in the former’s absence.
An upgrade may be sought after, with Burnley’s James Trafford heavily linked, but Napoli stopper Alex Meret could be signed on a free.
The Italian has kept 12 clean sheets this season and conceded just 22 goals in 27 matches.
Adama Traore
Though not exactly an upgrade on what Newcastle already have and not the most inspiring of signings, Adama Traore could be worth the risk on a free transfer.
The rapid winger has been inconsistent throughout his career but has actually been very good for Fulham this season. He could offer strong competition for Jacob Murphy if funding needs to be focussed elsewhere in the summer.
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