Newcastle United supporters have plenty of reasons to be excited about the upcoming transfer window this summer, with a host of intriguing names being linked with a move to St James' Park.
The club's new Saudi-backed owners spent over £90m during the January transfer window, bringing in Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes on permanent deals, and Matt Targett on loan from Aston Villa.
After manager Eddie Howe led the Magpies to an impressive 11th-placed finish following a brilliant end to the 2021-22 campaign, Newcastle will likely attempt to kick on during the coming weeks as the former Bournemouth boss looks to strengthen his ranks.
Despite some unrealistic links, such as Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar, Newcastle are believed to be focusing on longer-term investment, with Financial Fair Play rules also set to play a part in the transfer budget available.
As a result, Howe may look to target some loan signings with options, or obligations, to buy at the end of the deal, or bring in some permanent signings on long-term contracts, in order to spread the hefty cost of some arrivals over several years.
With the summer transfer window in mind, Sports Mole takes a look at how Newcastle could line up on the opening day of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign based on the current transfer rumours surrounding the Tyneside club.
© Sports MoleStarting in between the posts, a goalkeeper is not thought to be a priority at Newcastle this summer, with Martin Dubravka a respectable option as things stand.
However, Howe is keen to have a number one that is useful at playing out from the back, and Manchester United's Dean Henderson has been heavily linked with a move to Tyneside this summer.
Talks have quietened down over the past few weeks, but with Henderson keen to leave Old Trafford ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year, a move away from the Red Devils seems likely.
This is one of those potential deals where Newcastle may look to act smartly in the transfer market, by bringing in the 25-year-old on an initial loan deal with an option, or obligation, to buy the shot-stopper next summer.
Moving into defence, and the right-back slot at St James' Park looks to be tied down by Trippier - the first arrival of the new era at Newcastle back in January.
The England international's time at Newcastle has been a frustrating one since his move from Atletico Madrid during the last window, with injury hampering much of his playing time so far.
However, fitness permitting, Tripper is likely to be one of the first names on Howe's teamsheet heading into the 2022-23 campaign.
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At the heart of the defence, Newcastle desperately pursued the signing of Sven Botman from Lille back in January, as well as Diego Carlos from Sevilla, who recently completed a move to Aston Villa.
However, neither deal was completed and Newcastle fan Burn was brought in from Brighton & Hove Albion instead.
The towering 30-year-old is certainly a solid option to have, particularly given the rarity of him being a left-footed central defender, and with Newcastle's budget said to be limited more than many may think, he could retain his place in Howe's back four next season.
Alongside him however, Newcastle are said to still be interested in a move for Botman, who looks set to leave Ligue 1 this summer, and talks are reportedly heading towards an advanced stage, so he looks the most likely option to partner Burn at this stage.
Completing the back four, Targett proved to be a popular signing when he arrived from Villa on a six-month loan deal in January, amongst both teammates and supporters.
The Magpies have the option of making the deal permanent for around £15m, and although the likes of Atletico Madrid full-back Renan Lodi are said to be an option, Targett looks to be the most likely candidate to be defending the left-hand side come the opening day.
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Moving into midfield, Guimaraes proved to be one of the signings of the January transfer window in the Premier League, with the Brazilian netting five goals and registering one assist in just 11 league starts since his arrival from Lyon.
Real Madrid are even said to have monitored the 24-year-old, but if Newcastle can tie down his future for the long-term, he looks to be a mainstay in Howe's midfield trio for many years to come.
Guimaraes could well hold the key to one of Newcastle's biggest targets this summer - his friend, and former teammate, Lucas Paqueta.
A Brazilian compatriot of Guimaraes, Paqueta has recently travelled to Tyneside to see his friend, which obviously fuelled further speculation of a potential move to England.
A club-record £50m deal has been discussed, and although it seems unlikely that Newcastle will splash a significant amount of their budget on one player, Paqueta would certainly bring a bit of flair and creativity to St James' Park were he to make the move.
Just one year ago, many would have called you crazy for suggesting that Joelinton would still be amongst Newcastle's first names on the teamsheet despite the potential arrival of top quality signings.
The Brazilian enjoyed a significant turnaround in form under Howe last season in an unfamiliar 'number eight' role in central midfield.
The 25-year-old shocked many, particularly the Toon Army, with his dramatic upturn in performances from a deeper area of the pitch, and Joelinton could complete a trio of Brazilian brilliance in the centre of the pitch at St James' Park next season.
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The front three of Newcastle could well look completely different on the opening day of the 2022-23 Premier League season, with Howe eager to add significant attacking reinforcements this summer in order to take the workload off Callum Wilson.
Wood was brought in from Burnley during the January window, and although he is unlikely to play a starring role next campaign, the 30-year-old will certainly provide an option from the bench if Newcastle are required to go more direct late on in matches.
Hugo Ekitike is rumoured to be closing in on a move to Tyneside, six months after the 19-year-old reportedly came close to joining Newcastle, before he initially turned down a move to continue his progress with Reims in France.
However, despite his imminent arrival, Howe is understood to be looking for options to support Wilson in attack as things stand, rather than replace the former Bournemouth striker, so Ekitike could well be viewed as an option from the bench for much of the 2022-23 campaign, despite his hefty price tag.
In the wide areas, Allan Saint-Maximin provides the spark, the flair, and the buzz around St James' Park at the moment, but despite this, it was rumoured that the Frenchman could be moved on during the upcoming transfer window to make way for new arrivals.
However, as things stand, that speculation has proved to be wide of the mark, and the Frenchman should continue to be the go-to man for the key to unlock the door in opposition defences next season with his pace and directness with the ball at his feet.
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On the opposite flank, although the Magpies appear to require a consistent performer that can provide some creativity and chip in with goals along with Wilson and Saint-Maximin, few rumours have surfaced around this area of the pitch so far.
Ryan Fraser and Jacob Murphy filled in and performed respectably in the closing stages of the season under Howe, and Miguel Almiron certainly possesses a significant amount of quality in that area, but the Paraguayan was used sparingly for much of last season as his form dipped in comparison to recent years.
Barcelona's out-of-contract winger Ousmane Dembele could prove a luxury signing, but Newcastle do not appear to be too interested in spending a significant chunk of their wages on someone that has endured an injury-hit time in Spain, whilst Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea look to be the most likely candidates to win the race for his signature should he choose to leave the Camp Nou this summer.
That takes us to Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby, who would certainly provide the explosiveness and directness needed to take the workload away from Saint-Maximin on the left-hand side.
The 22-year-old has not ruled out a move away from Die Werkself this summer, despite their qualification for the Champions League, and rumours of a move to Newcastle have refused to go away.
Diaby recorded a remarkable tally of 17 goals and 19 assists in 42 appearances for Leverkusen across all competitions during the 2021-22 campaign, and with Newcastle able to offer a significant increase on his current pay packet, this rumoured target is certainly one to watch.
Matthew Tranter
