The relegated gems Newcastle could sign from Leicester, Leeds and Southampton

There are two things Newcastle United need this summer. Added quality to improve our first-team and increased depth to bolster our squad heading into what promises to be an exciting but hectic 2023/24 season.

There's not many players from the recently relegated Leicester, Leeds or Southampton that walk into our starting 11, but there's several who'd improve our squad and thrive under Eddie Howe's coaching.

Relegated players often divide opinion. Some see them as cut-price gems there to be cherry-picked, while others prefer to avoid at all costs; an argument I rarely understand if the individual himself is good enough.

Here's some of the options from all three clubs, starting with the Saints star who could fit in brilliantly at St James' Park

Romeo Lavia (Southampton)

The Belgian midfielder looks a huge talent. Still only 19, he was one of the shining lights in and otherwise awful season for Southampton; an impressive feat in his first full year in the Premier League. He came to St James' Park and barely gave Bruno Guimaraes a second to settle on the ball back in April, showing impressive pressing, a great engine, composure in possession and that ability to snap into tackles.

Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds)

Another teenager who has not looked out of place during his debut season in England. The 19-year-old Italian has pace to burn, can play down either flank and has that 'dog' in him too, averaging 1.8 tackles per 90 minutes; the sort of stat that may appeal to Eddie Howe.

James Maddison (Leicester)

An obvious one, a player we've been heavily linked with and impossible to ignore. Premier League proven, versatile and offers that creative spark or wand of a right foot able to unlock the door against sides who may sit deep and look to frustrate. 30 goal involvements last season (18 goals an 12 assists) has been followed by 19 (10 goals and nine assists) in 30 appearances over the 2022/23 season. For all of Leicester's struggles, he's continued to perform.

Armel Bella-Kotchap (Southampton)

The 21-year-old centre-back is still a bit raw, but he has bags of potential and could become a top player with the right guidance. We're in the market for a right-sided CB able to learn from Fabian Schar, partner Sven Botman in the future and add athleticism to a back line currently lacking pace and the 6ft 3' German international ticks plenty of those boxes. He's one to watch.

Harvey Barnes (Leicester)

With 13 goals this season, only 11 Premier League players outscored the Foxes winger in 2022/23. He's not particularly versatile and has only ever operated down the left, but I could his name cropping up again should Saint-Maximin move on this summer.

Tino Livramento (Southampton)

He's recently recovered from an ACL injury, but the 20-year-old was superb his first season at St Mary's. The former Chelsea talent is a strong runner with the ball, has a superb engine and could be an ideal option to learn from and fill in for Kieran Trippier when the fixtures pile up next season. Kyle Walker-Peters is another, too. His ceiling is lower than Livramento's, but KWP's ability to play at left-back and right-back may appeal to Howe?

Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton)

A wildcard option who was linked with a move to Tyneside a few months before he left Rennes for St Mary's. The 21-year-ol Ghanaian is still raw, but he has pace to burn, is an outstanding dribbler and showed his capabilities in front of goal with a final day brace against Liverpool.

Again, it's worth noting that the majority of these would be cut-price options who'd improve our squad - like a hostelworld discount code for UK travellers - while others may thrive under Howe's coaching (Lavia, Livramento and Bella-Kotchap?) or, in Maddison's case, slot seamlessly into our first-team.

Who would you like to see us target from the three relegated clubs?