The Athletic have launched an in-depth piece on Newcastle’s switch plans heading into 2025, the place North East correspondent Chris Waugh reveals precedence positions and namechecks 9 gamers of curiosity.
Though his report states that Toon scouts are monitoring gamers in ‘each place’ from all around the globe, it’s believed a centre-back, right-winger and goalkeeper are prime of the record, with strikers additionally of specific curiosity as Callum Wilson’s approaches the ultimate six months of his contract.
Beginning in objective, Burnley’s James Trafford stays of curiosity and ‘suits the profile Howe desires’, with the membership eager to usher in a younger goalkeeper who could be a future substitute for Nick Pope and push him within the brief time period.
On the again, Waugh states that we’re attempting to scale back the age of our defence – Burn, Schar, Lascelles and Krafth are all 30 and above – and Marc Guehi stays of ‘eager curiosity’, however a renewed bid is extra doubtless subsequent summer season except Crystal Palace cut back their asking value within the New 12 months.
Different centre-backs talked about within the piece embody AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw, who has been ‘watched long-term’, Benfica’s Antonio Silva and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba after ‘contact’ with the Bundesliga aspect in August.
It’s thought our midfield might be restructured barely ought to we decide to money in on Sean Longstaff for ‘pure revenue’ in 2025, with Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney one other participant we’ve watched. Nonetheless, it’s thought Howe is ‘loathed’ to lose Longstaff as issues stand.
Shifting to the right-wing, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is admired and has been closely linked, however a January transfer for the Bees star has been described as ‘costly and sophisticated.’ Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga is ‘nonetheless appreciated’ after our deadline day bid, whereas various unnamed wingers have additionally been watched throughout Europe.
Up prime, it’s not notably inspiring, however Waugh confirms that we’re long-term admirers of Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who could also be thought of a possible Callum Wilson substitute given each are out of contract subsequent summer season.