The Magpies might move on to the next stage of their rebuild with an intriguing transfer, as well as securing their key players.
After successfully navigating their way past the June 30 profit and sustainability standards deadline with their finances in order, Newcastle United can now focus on enhancing their team ahead of a vital Premier League season.
The Magpies scrambled to complete the necessary sales to ensure they did not violate their PSR compliance, but the sales of Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton and Hove Albion, combined with a compensation deal agreed with Manchester United for the departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth, ensured they raised the funds to do so.
Now, at the start of a new profit and sustainability cycle, Newcastle can focus on the next stages of their rebuild as they aim to qualify for European football at the end of the season.
Newcastle are looking for a new right-winger and another centre-half, and they may be obliged to look for a new forward as well.
There are other players that could be sold this summer, as Newcastle strive to build a well-rounded side capable of competing at the top of the Premier League table.
With that in mind, Chronicle Live has looked at the ideal scenario that Newcastle will hope to accomplish before the summer transfer deadline on August 30.
Miguel Almiron makes way for Jarrod Bowen.
Newcastle are looking for a new right winger after selling teenage prodigy Minteh to Brighton. With both Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy still on the club’s roster, United will need to trade one of them to keep the squad balanced and their players satisfied.
With minimal public interest in Murphy, Almiron is the more marketable commodity, having nearly signed Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab in January. The 30-year-old still has two years left on his contract at St James’ Park, but the Magpies are thought to have held conversations with an unnamed Saudi club this summer about a possible transfer.
Almiron has been an excellent servant since signing from Atlanta United in January 2019, but supporters will tolerate his departure if a true upgrade is secured.
And if that true boost comes in the form of West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen, the Magpies will be adding a Premier League veteran and an England international winger.
The 27-year-old would not come cheap, as he is under contract in East London until 2030, and Newcastle would have to pay about three times the £22 million Mike Ashley was unwilling to pay to sign him from Hull City in January 2020.
Bowen’s name has come up in recruitment meetings, and his record of over 20 goal contributions in all competitions in each of the last three seasons shows that he is a move worth considering, regardless of the price West Ham asks.
Anthony Gordon remains despite Liverpool interest.
Perhaps the most surprising move Newcastle considered last week to alleviate their PSR concerns was the sale of Anthony Gordon to Liverpool.
Newcastle’s Player of the Season last season, who is presently representing England at EURO 2024, was offered to the Reds in a deal that would have seen Liverpool’s teenage defender Jarell Quansah leave in the opposite direction.
Liverpool rejected the terms of that proposal, but their interest in the Magpies winger has not waned, according to reports, given that the Reds are the team he grew up loving.
But Newcastle simply cannot afford to lose a player of Gordon’s caliber, and if they are serious about establishing themselves as a team that consistently competes at the top end of the Premier League, they must build their team around him rather than letting him go.
Chelsea’s interest in Alexander Isak has been turned down.
And if Newcastle is going to build their team around Gordon, they should also build around Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak. Bruno’s £100 million release clause expired last week, easing fears that Newcastle may lose him this summer.
However, speculation over Chelsea’s interest in Alexander Isak has persisted, and the Magpies must turn down any fresh offers for the Swedish international this summer.
Chelsea has inquired about his availability, and Newcastle is thought to be unwilling to consider offers below £115 million. But now that the Magpies have resolved their PSR issues, they should not consider selling Isak this summer, who scored 25 goals in all competitions last season.
