Newcastle United face a pivotal summer transfer window as Eddie Howe’s side look to return to the Champions League places. The club have been linked with attacking players following the sale of Anthony Gordon but also need to bolster their defensive options.
Full-Back Issues
Kieran Trippier’s departure at the end of his contract highlights United’s clear problem at full-back, with Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall being the only recognised specialists on either flank. Lewis Miley and Dan Burn are able to fill in, while youngster Leo Shahar is continuing his development, but new recruits are needed.
Goalkeeping Uncertainty
The goalkeeping situation is also uncertain, despite striking a £24.2million deal for Reims star Ewen Jaouen. Howe could still bring in a senior shot-stopper, casting doubt over Nick Pope’s future at St James’ Park.
Centre-Back Stability
Newcastle are more settled at centre-back but may begin planning for the future, should an opportunity arise. Here is a look at how their defence could look at the end of the transfer window in an ideal scenario.
Goalkeeper
The signing of Ewen Jaouen could mark the arrival of Newcastle’s long-term number one after winning the race for his signature. The 20-year-old is expected to compete for a place in the team after an impressive season in France’s second tier but may not be a guaranteed starter, even after Newcastle opted against keeping loanee Aaron Ramsdale.
The club have been linked with other goalkeepers who would expect to be made first choice, including James Trafford. Newcastle could reignite their interest in the 23-year-old, who has struggled for regular minutes after deciding to return to Manchester City last summer. The Manchester Evening News has reported that City would likely want around £40m for the England international. It would mean splashing out around £64m on two new goalkeepers and parting ways with Nick Pope, but it may be what is required for Newcastle to achieve their ambitions.
Goalkeeper: Trafford, Jaouen.
Full-Back
The area of the team that Newcastle arguably need to address most this summer. Tino Livramento is lacking competition at right-back and is currently sidelined with an injury. Strasbourg’s Guela Doue is on the club’s radar. The 23-year-old, who is valued at around £17m by Transfermarkt, registered six assists in 24 Ligue 1 games last season.
Lewis Hall has to stay as the established first-choice left-back following speculation over a move to Manchester United. The 21-year-old will head into the new campaign with a point to prove after being left out of England’s World Cup squad and now Gordon's exit has eased the financial concerns, there's no need to cash in on him. Recruiting Celta Vigo’s Oscar Mingueza as a free agent could be a shrewd move as the Spain international can operate in both full-back positions, as well as at centre-back. The 27-year-old also missed out on a World Cup place but would bring considerable experience to Howe’s squad.
Right-back: Livramento, Doue. Left-back: Hall, Mingueza.
Centre-Back
Newcastle should have little concern about their centre-back options. Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are a formidable quartet. The decision to give Schar a one-year extension means a new centre-half is not an immediate priority. However, with Schar and Burn both being 34, Newcastle should remain proactive in the transfer market.
Reports in Spain have linked the club with Racing Santander prospect Jorge Salinas. AS claims that the 19-year-old has a £6.9m release clause that doubles at the start of July. Salinas would represent one for the future for Newcastle, who could choose to loan him out next season.
Centre-back: Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Schar, Salinas.
