Newcastle United are preparing for a significant summer rebuild, with Eddie Howe expected to stay put as the Magpies’ manager to start next season and still boasting a large role in shaping the upcoming transfer window.
According to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, the club has already started to work on the recruiting front, way earlier than last year, aiming to avoid the reactive approach that led to a massive financial waste late in the window.
The focus this time, per Waugh, is clear: improve the starting
XI while lowering the squad’s average age and looking at the mid-to-long-term future.
Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson’s mindset seems to align with Howe’s, in that both are pushing for bringing in younger players with high potential, rather than established veterans, all of it by relying heavily on data analysis and a wider European scouting network.
According to Waugh’s information, coming from unnamed sources, Newcastle’s top priorities are signing a new goalkeeper and a striker. In net, the club still admires Manchester City’s James Trafford, but they are considering multiple alternatives as they look for a long-term replacement for Nick Pope, in case Trafford proves unattainable.
Up front, Howe wants a forward who fits his system, with Waugh reporting that the manager is targeting “another centre-forward who can press and is a penalty-box finisher.”
Beyond those key areas, Newcastle are also targeting reinforcements at right-back, centre-back, left-back, midfield, and wide attacking positions, and at least one more depth goalkeeper will likely be added.
