Newcastle United confirmed their first outfield signing of the summer transfer window on Friday with the arrival of Bazoumana Toure from Hoffenheim. After losing Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali to Tottenham, Toure's arrival was the tonic Newcastle needed to flip the script of this summer's transfer window and inject positivity into the side.
The 20-year-old scored five goals and registered 12 assists in all competitions last season and is expected to go straight into the Magpies' strongest XI ahead of the new season.
Pre-season and opening fixture
Newcastle have an extensive pre-season schedule which will see them take in friendly matches against Darlington, Gateshead, Bristol City, Valencia, Everton, Bayer Leverkusen and an unnamed European side. That will lead into the opening weekend of the Premier League season when Newcastle welcome Liverpool to St James' Park on August 23. With the Magpies in the market for a new goalkeeper, right-back, midfielder and forward, their starting XI could look a lot different to the team that lined up in the final day defeat to Fulham in May.
Goalkeeper: James Trafford
It has been all change in the goalkeeping department this summer with Aaron Ramsdale and John Ruddy leaving the club and Ewen Jaouen joining from Stade Reims. Nick Pope is also expected to leave, opening the door for a new goalkeeper signing. A number of possibilities have been looked at but James Trafford remains Newcastle's dream signing. Trafford almost joined last summer before returning to Manchester City but spent the season as second choice to Gianluigi Donnarumma. It is believed he wants more first-team football to push Jordan Pickford for England's number one spot, and Newcastle is seen as a potential landing spot.
Defence: Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall
A back four of Tino Livramento, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall should start the season with all four players having their best years ahead of them. Fabian Schar and Dan Burn are able alternatives at centre-half, while a new full-back is expected to be recruited to compete with Livramento and Hall.
Midfield: Camara, Guimaraes, Manzambi
Tonali has left the club and his replacement is being sourced. Lamine Camara has been monitored for a long while and has the attributes to be his natural successor should Newcastle make a move. The biggest bit of business the Magpies can do is retain Bruno Guimaraes amid interest from Arsenal. Now Newcastle have recouped around £170 million in the sales of Tonali and Gordon, they are in a strong position to make their captain the centre-piece of their rebuild next season.
Johan Manzambi remains the dream signing to complete a new-look midfield, with his five goal contributions at the World Cup for Switzerland so far catching the eye. His ability to break forward from midfield makes him a perfect Eddie Howe player and he is good going the other way, too. He can also play across the front four, giving Newcastle options if they revisit the 4-2-3-1 formation from last season. The £42 million chase is under way for the 20-year-old Freiburg star, but Newcastle are confident they can get him signed amid competition from elsewhere. That would leave Joelinton, Lewis Miley and Jacob Ramsey as excellent options in the squad, and probably would spell the end of Joe Willock's time at Newcastle amid interest from a number of Premier League clubs.
Attack: Elanga, Toure, new striker
Anthony Elanga has had an excellent World Cup and if he can carry that form into his second season at Newcastle, he could well come good on the right-wing. Toure would slot in on the left, meaning 16-goal Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy would be more than able replacements. Up front remains the big conundrum. Will Osula ended the season well, Nick Woltemade started it brilliantly, and Yoane Wissa has finally proven his fitness by playing a starring role for DR Congo in the World Cup. But if you asked most Newcastle fans, they would still like to start the season with a new forward. Liam Delap has been tentatively linked, while a move for free agent Dusan Vlahovic continues to be touted in Italy.
Newcastle United dream XI vs Liverpool: Trafford; Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Camara, Guimaraes, Manzambi; Elanga, Toure; new striker.
