Newcastle United are interested in a whole host of targets this year like Yann Sommer, Sven Botman and Dries Mertens, but what would Eddie Howe’s line-up look like if the Toon were to sign them all?
The Magpies boss is determined to strengthen his options across the St James’ Park pitch during the summer sales. Howe believes Newcastle need fresh faces in each area of his side to build on the run of form he orchestrated last term upon replacing Steve Bruce in charge under Saudi-backed owners.
Howe arrived on Tyneside in November with the club winless after 11 Premier League games and in 19th-place, level on points with basement boys Norwich City. Yet he inspired a grand turnaround to finish in 11th, with just seven points separating the Toon from West Ham in the European positions.
Newcastle are interested in Sommer, Botman and Mertens as Howe targets vast rebuild
Newcastle are now interested in hordes of potential targets like Sommer, Botman and Mertens with Howe targeting a vast rebuild. The Tyneside natives have also secured a permanent transfer for Matt Targett, having paid Aston Villa an additional £12m following the full-back’s £3m January loan move.
Howe electing to retain Targett will likely see the defender keep his place as the first-choice left-back next season. But with the Magpies seeking deals for further central defensive options, Dan Burn may face a struggle to retain the starting berth he gained after leaving Brighton back in January for £13m.
Sommer (GK): Newcastle land new number one amid interest in Gladbach goalkeeper
Newcastle could land a new number one this summer with Howe now interested in signing Sommer from Borussia Monchengladbach. TalkSPORT report the Toon are on the Swiss stopper’s trail as the boss wants a ball playing ‘keeper, but has struggled to buy Dean Henderson off Manchester United.
Sommer could become available this summer as the 33-year-old enters the final year of his contract at Borussia-Park in July. He would replace Martin Dubravka as the first-choice at St James’ Park with a move to England after five clean sheets in 33 Bundesliga games this season to 60 goals conceded.
Trippier (RB): January arrival puts injury frustrations behind him next season
Kieran Trippier will look to put his injury frustrations in the past next season after missing 12 Premier League games following his £12m arrival from Atletico Madrid in January. The right-back returned to fitness for the final three matches of the campaign, but only started on the final day against Burnley.
Botman (CB): Newcastle agree fee with Lille as Howe steps up defender interest
Newcastle sought to sign Botman back in January, but Howe’s interest in the Lille enforcer failed to pay out. The boss could finally work with the Dutchman, however, as The Northern Echo report the Magpies have now agreed a £30m fee with Les Dogues for the centre-back’s transfer this summer.
Discussions remain ongoing between the Premier League and Ligue 1 outfits over the structure for the payments. United’s intended approach is an upfront instalment of just £15m, followed with further payments spread across the 22-year-old’s contract. But Lille want as much paid up front as possible.
Ibanez (CB): Roma defender earning Newcastle interest with Mourinho ready to sell
Roma defender Roger Ibanez is attracting interest from Newcastle this summer with Jose Mourinho ready to sell the Brazilian. Calciomercato report the Giallorossi are seeking to more than treble the €8m (£7m) plus add-ons they paid Atalanta in January 2020, with an asking price of €30m (£25.5m).
CEO Tiago Pinto is aware Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte has long admired the 23-year-old. Newcastle have also expressed concrete interest in signing Ibanez, who started 32 of his 34 Serie A appearances this term and helped Roma win the Europa Conference League with 11 starts from 13.
Targett (LB): Howe keeps faith in full-back after permanent Aston Villa exit
Howe will likely keep faith in Targett following the full-back’s permanent transfer to Newcastle from Aston Villa. The 26-year-old started all 16 of his available Premier League appearances after moving to St James’ – only sitting out the Magpies’ 1-0 win over his then-parent club Villans during February.
Pellegrini (CM): Newcastle interested in Roma midfielder but see offer rejected
Newcastle are interested in possibly strengthening in midfield this year, but Roma have rejected the club’s offer for Lorenzo Pellegrini. Corriere dello Sport report the Toon offered €60m (£51m) for the 25-year-old. Yet the sum failed to convince Pinto to hold further negotiations over his potential sale.
Roma are loath to let Pellegrini leave the Stadio Olimpico as the Giallorossi captain is fundamental to their future vision. Many suitors are lining up at the 22-cap Italy international’s door, though, having offered 14 goals and laying on eight assists from 41 appearances across all competitions this season.
Guimaraes (CM): January arrival one of the first names on Howe’s teamsheet
Bruno Guimaraes will be one of the first names on a Newcastle teamsheet next season, having now had time to grow accustomed to the Premier League. Howe paid Lyon an initial £35m plus £6.5m in add-ons for the Brazilian in January, who impressed at St James’ and proved he could run the show.
Willock (CM): Howe to trust 2021 arrival with recapturing form displayed under Bruce
Howe will likely trust Joe Willock to recapture the form he displayed under Bruce with Newcastle offering Roma substantial sums for Pellegrini, alongside the Magpies’ interest in Ibanez and Sommer. Willock only scored twice in 29 league games this term after hitting eight in 14 to seal a £25m move.
Mertens (CAM): Newcastle interested in Napoli hero with free Azzurri exit on the cards
Newcastle are interested in signing Napoli hero Mertens this summer with his exit from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on the cards. Voetbal Flitsen report the 35-year-old and Azzurri are facing difficulties agreeing a new contract, with the Belgian’s current deal expiring at the end of this month.
Crystal Palace, Leeds and Newcastle chiefs are all paying close attention to discussions between the Serie A side and 104-cap dynamo. The Toon stand the best chance of convincing Mertens to move to England as the club can offer the best salary. But he could decide to leave Napoli yet remain in Italy.
Mertens joined Napoli from PSV Eindhoven back in 2013 for €13m (£11m) and has scored 148 and created 90 goals over 397 games. But Corriere dello Sport report Napoli have told the versatile star he must drastically reduce his current €4.5m-a-year (£73.5k-a/w) wage to €1.2m (£19k-a/w) to stay.
Wilson (ST): Ekitike watches in the wings as Newcastle near deal for Reims forward
Callum Wilson should expect to start next season as the lead striker at St James’ Park after returning from a calf injury and instantly showing what Newcastle had missed, with a dynamic display against Arsenal and scoring twice at Burnley. He scored five goals in 15 league games before his winter blow.
Newcastle are interested in improving Howe’s attack, though, and The Northern Echo report a €30m (£25.5m) fee has been agreed with Reims for Hugo Ekitike. Talks remain ongoing on the structure of the payment, plus €5m (£4m) in add-ons, after the 19-year-old scored 10 goals in 23 Ligue 1 games.
Saint-Maximin (ST): Howe unleashes dynamic talisman in his favoured position
Newcastle signing Mertens amid Howe’s interest in the Napoli star’s potential transfer could see the boss unleash Allan Saint-Maximin in a split two-man strike force with Wilson in front of the Belgian.
Saint-Maximin and Wilson have previously featured together in a two up top system during Bruce’s time at the helm. The dynamic French talisman also favours playing centrally than on the wing, from where he offered three of his five goals and two of his five assists in the Premier League this season.
Featuring on the Premier League’s ‘Uncut’ show back in October, Saint-Maximin said: “Yeah, it’s my best position. Because I run fast always, sometimes they prefer me playing on the left or right. But I really love playing [as a] number 10. That’s why I have more freedom and it’s easier for me to score.
“When you stay [on the] left-wing or right-wing, you know you are always in a line. So, you don’t have many options because if the defender is close to you to go inside, you can go outside. But in the middle, you can go everywhere, so it’s harder to catch me.”
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