It looks set to be a busy summer transfer window for Newcastle as they look to rebuild after what has been a disappointing season so far.
A decision over Eddie Howe’s future needs to be made at Newcastle. (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.)
It’s set to be a big summer for Newcastle United, with some clear steps needed in a rebuild at the club. The Magpies currently sit in 12th place in the Premier League table.
The position is lower than they would have hoped or planned for going into the campaign, which included Champions League football. There has already been talk about possible transfer activity when the summer window opens.
Midfielder Sandro Tonali seems to be at the centre of reports. The Italian continues to be linked with clubs, including Arsenal and Manchester United, as clubs make plans for the summer window.
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The club are calm over his future, with the 25-year-old having a contract that runs until 2019 with the option of a further year. However, comments from chief executive David Hopkinson have suggested that the club is open to a sale, should the price be right.
A potential sale could be central to a summer rebuild for Newcastle, as they look to climb up the Premier League table again next season. Here’s a look at what that rebuild should look like.
Spend Sandro Tonali money
Should Tonali leave in the summer, then most of the money should be reinvested back into the squad. First, the club will need to bring in a replacement for the Italian to not leave a hole in their squad.
Juventus’ Khephren Thuram is one of the latest names to be linked with a possible move to St James’ Park. The Magpies have also been linked with an interest in Monaco’s Lamine Camara.
But it’s not just in midfield where the money could be reinvested, with up front one of the areas that Newcastle should again look to strengthen in the summer. After a positive start to the season, Nick Woltemade’s form has tailed off, with the German not scoring in the Premier League or Champions League since December.
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Yoane Wissa has mainly been on the bench over the last few weeks. Newcastle need an out-and-out goalscorer to replace Alexander Isak.
There have been reports of interest in Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke, who could be available at a cut price if Spurs go down at the end of the season.
If there is any money left over, they could also look to bring in a new goalkeeper to the club. Aaron Ramsdale is due to return to his parent club, Southampton, in the summer. With both Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy out of contract, it will leave Nick Pope as the only senior goalkeeper option.
Keep other big players
While there’s probably an acceptance that one or maybe two key players may have to be sold by Newcastle, it’s important that the club don’t go too far with the sales. As well as Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are among the players said to be gaining interest from other clubs.
If Newcastle want to get back to Champions League qualification, then losing all or the majority of those players isn’t going to help them do so. The squad needs to keep the core, with the big-money sale of one or two players a year helping to supplement that.
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While it’s not ideal, it’s the reality for clubs like Newcastle, trying to break the glass ceiling. Bringing money into the club helps with Profitability and Sustainability (PSR), as well as being able to reinvest, which will be key to the rebuild.
But just as important is keeping hold of the majority of their players who have got them there in the first place.
Eddie Howe decision
One of the other big decisions that Newcastle have to make is over the future of manager Eddie Howe. The loss against Sunderland has led to questions being asked over his future.
But, given that he has already led Newcastle to two Champions League finishes, he should be given the chance to be part of the rebuild.
The situation surrounding Isak and the uncertainty over his future wouldn’t have helped the build-up to the new season. If there is a clear plan this time around with the manager able to reinvest the money that is brought into the club, then he will have a better chance of success.
Changing managers in the summer would be a big risk and one that may not pay off. Howe has proven what he can do with this team.
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