The transfer window may not be officially open, but with the season concluded and the World Cup on the horizon, speculation is heating up. Newcastle United are set to be active in the coming months after a disappointing Premier League finish, and they have work to do to strengthen Eddie Howe's squad.
Newcastle's Summer Plans
The Magpies have bid farewell to Anthony Gordon, receiving £69 million to boost their transfer efforts. The club have already been linked with replacements such as Osasuna star Victor Munoz and Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli. Despite signing strikers Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa last summer, Newcastle require reinforcements in their forward line to offer support. A direct option could soon be available.
ChronicleLive has rounded up the latest Newcastle United news and transfer gossip.
Darwin Nunez Competition
Darwin Nunez is on Barcelona's shortlist of potential strikers, should they give up hope on signing Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez, according to reports in Spain. Barcelona anticipate possible competition from Newcastle, Chelsea, and Liverpool.
This is not the first time Nunez has been linked with a move to St James' Park. Newcastle were credited with an interest in the striker before he made his £46 million move to Al Hilal last summer. However, that transfer has not worked out, and the Uruguay forward is said to have already agreed an exit from the Saudi Arabian side.
Karim Benzema's January arrival saw Nunez omitted from Al Hilal's squad to comply with Saudi Pro League foreign player regulations. He is said to have agreed in principle to terminate his contract, allowing him to depart for free.
Nunez has seen his name come up in discussions between Barcelona and agent Jorge Mendes, as they also talked about Joao Cancelo's future.
Chronicle Live verdict: It is unlikely Newcastle will make a move for Darwin Nunez at this stage. The striker would bring high upside but also present some risk, even when available for free, due to his inconsistency. The Magpies cannot afford key players not firing again next season as they look to get back on track domestically to return to Europe. Though a free transfer must sound tempting after last year's spending, his salary is unlikely to be cheaper. The club would need to be convinced of any deal, as they cannot rely on punts at this stage.
Barcelona Eye Newcastle Star
Newcastle youngster Lewis Miley is one of a number of Europe's young stars being watched by Barcelona this summer, per Mundo Deportivo. He joins Ibrahim Maza of Bayer Leverkusen, Porto's Rodrigo Mora, AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit, and Lennart Karl of Bayern Munich on the Catalan club's watchlist as they look to acquire the continent's best young players.
Miley fractured his fibula in training, ending his season early. The 20-year-old was ruled out for a number of months, with his return hoped to coincide with pre-season.
Chronicle Live verdict: At this stage, Newcastle cannot consider selling Lewis Miley. The midfielder was proving useful across a number of positions as the Magpies struggled with injury and looked to be finding the next level in his young career.
Being mentioned in relation to Barcelona says everything about the ability he possesses and why Newcastle should retain his services. Newcastle's midfield has been a strength, which likely contributed to Elliot Anderson's exit, but with uncertainty over Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, and Joelinton entering their more mature years, it is key that Miley makes the transition into that group, provided he recovers well from injury.
