Newcastle identify three summer priorities after £100m transfer boost - Report
All eyes will now turn to the summer from a recruitment point of view, with the club coming out of January with no new signings but a PSR boost thanks to two sales worth £30m.
It's hardly ideal and risks Eddie Howe being left short over the second half of the season, with us not only failing to sign a right-winger but losing squad depth following Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly's departures.
However, if there is one silver lining, it seems we will FINALLY have room for manoeuvre in the next transfer window and the 'headroom' to improve the squad on several fronts.
New report reveals summer priorities
After revealing that our prudent approach to January could hand us a £100m boost heading into the summer, Mark Douglas at the i has revealed three positions Newcastle United look set to target.
The North East reporter reveals that the club will 'prioritise' moves for a centre-back, right-winger and striker, describing the summer as the 'next stage of their rebuild' after a difficult January.
As we know, the club have barely strengthened Eddie Howe's first XI over the past THREE transfer windows, but that looks set to change in a few months time - and it needs to with several areas of the squad in need of fresh blood.
Three areas in need of fresh blood
Who we may sign will be open to debate over the comings months, but you can see why the club could be looking to prioritise at centre-back, right-wing and striker.
At centre-back, Fabian Schar is 33 and still has plenty to offer, but there's been talk of us wanting a long-term replacement for the Swiss for a year or two now. Players linked include the likes of Bournemouth's Illia Zarbanyi, along with Marc Guehi and Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande.
On the right-wing, our need for an upgrade is clear, no matter how much Jacob Murphy has improved, with our lack of depth in that area also clear after Almiron's exit. Ones to watch could be Tyler Dibling of Southampton, PSV's Johan Bakayoko, Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo.
Last but not least, a striker to compete with Alexander Isak should be on the agenda now Callum Wilson approaches the end of his Newcastle contract, along with his never-ending battle to stay fit. Lille star Jonathan David has been watched several times, but there'll be fierce competition when the Canadian becomes a free agent at the end of June.
