Alan Shearer wants three signings at Newcastle and hints at moves for four or five

Newcastle still have nine huge games remaining in our quest for a top five finish and Champions League football, but it won't be long until our attentions turn to summer recruitment.

After several windows without major signings and PSR issues taking precedent, this summer should be different, as Eddie Howe hinted in Friday's press conference.

But what does club legend Alan Shearer think about our transfer plans? In a recent interview, he's discussed areas we should target and potential outgoings.

Shearer on incomings

Speaking to Betfair, Alan Shearer has outlined some of the key moves he feels Newcastle need to undertake this summer, highlighting the three positions he expects the club to strengthen.

Shearer reminded the club that they can’t risk not bringing in other attacking options, feeling we need to strengthen two forward positions and one at the back:

“What I would say, in terms of positions to bring in, I think they need another centre-back. They need a right-sided player and, without doubt, they need another centre-forward.”

“Because, whether you like it or not, Callum Wilson has been injury prone so it would be really risky not to sign another forward to complement Isak. Whether it's to play alongside or to fill in for him.”

On potential outgoings

Shearer then looked at potential departures, believing three to five Mags - including some who've been here 'for a long time' could head for the exit door to make room for incomings.

"Newcastle are obviously going to have to get players out," he said. "There could be three, four, maybe five players out of the door, players who have been here a long time and have been really good for the football club. It's probably best for those players and the club if they move on.”

It could soon be time to say farewell to the likes of Sean Longstaff, who Howe even admitted has an uncertain future on Tyneside, and stalwarts Jamaal Lascelles and Callum Wilson, both of whom come to the end of their contract this summer.

Is Shearer right?

Our need for another centre-back and right-winger has been highlighted for several windows now, but Shearer is also bang on with his call for a Callum Wilson replacement to arrive.

This season, Alexander Isak has been relatively injury-free compared to past seasons, only missing three fixtures in the Premier League whilst achieving new heights in terms of his goalscoring.

However, the fixture schedule will only get more and more congested next season, as Newcastle could be looking not only at six to eight games of European football and beyond, but also two deep domestic cup runs like they had once again this season.

So, whilst it makes perfect sense for the club to finally offset Wilson and his high wages and bring a suitable back-up option for Isak, the club could risk relying on Isak and promoting Will Osula to being his designated back-up, and allow for money to be invested elsewhere in the starting XI.