Follow our live coverage of transfer deadline day 2022.
Perhaps Newcastle United’s first breakthrough of the summer transfer window will occur off the field.
While it may have proven to be a frustrating first week in the market, which remains “inflated beyond belief”, according to well-placed sources, highly constructive talks have resumed with Brighton in a belated attempt to free Dan Ashworth from his nine-month gardening leave.
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Ashworth was identified as Newcastle’s preferred candidate to be their sporting director in February, but the failure to agree compensation with Brighton has prevented him from taking that job. Instead, Eddie Howe, the head coach, has essentially been performing a dual role, described by insiders as a de facto director of football. That is viewed internally as being unsustainable.
Howe may desire a strong input on signings and the final say on incomings, but he would prefer the majority of the minutiae behind transfers — the negotiation of deals, discussions over contracts and speaking with agents — to be handled by a sporting director, so he can focus on coaching.
Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi oversaw a successful if hectic first transfer window following the October takeover, while Nicky Hammond, the former Reading and Celtic director of football, is understood to be “one of many voices” still making calls on the club’s behalf ahead of the summer.
Yet the arrival of an experienced operator such as Ashworth would be seen as greatly beneficial, particularly in reducing Howe’s workload.
If Ashworth is appointed before the summer window officially opens on June 10, Newcastle’s transfer blueprint will not alter dramatically as target lists have already been drawn up and plans are in place, but he should help ensure a very important window runs more smoothly.
Here, The Athletic’s Chris Waugh answers your questions in a special Newcastle United transfer mailbag…
What are the key positions being targeted? — Marc M
What is the order of priority for positions being targeted? — Martin S
Newcastle’s scouting team, led by Steve Nickson, the head of recruitment, have lists covering every position for this summer, and multiple sources talk about a “dynamic” or “flexible” approach, with the club willing to explore strengthening anywhere across the pitch if the “right player” becomes available.
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However, the priority for Howe is to add more goals to the team, so attacking reinforcements are being given precedence. At least one striker is being sought and although the hope is that Newcastle can bring in a centre-forward capable of competing with Callum Wilson or even usurping him as first choice, younger options are also being considered. A creative wide forward or winger is also wanted.
In defence, a left-back and at least one centre-half are required, while Howe is receptive to bringing in a ball-playing goalkeeper, though that is not considered the most pressing issue. Beyond that, another midfielder — with a dynamic, metronomic passer-type coveted — would ideally arrive.
The expectation internally is that between four and six senior signings will be made.
Are we likely to see deals early in the window? — Richys R and DxN
Have the club finalised their No 1 choice in each position? — Nathan H
Are the names being bandied around genuinely close to signing or will we be surprised, like we were with Bruno Guimaraes? — Steve T
Newcastle are hoping to move quickly but have had a bit of an irritating start to the summer — they expected fees for their targets to be inflated, but some of the prices they have been quoted have still surprised them. Howe wants an early breakthrough and is hoping a decent chunk of his squad will be in place when pre-season training begins on July 1, but there is an acceptance that is unlikely.
The first choices in each position have been settled upon, yes, but some of those are said to be “very ambitious” — such as Benfica striker Darwin Nunez — and so several back-ups have been identified. Agents have also been informed that Newcastle will be agile and consider players they may not have previously thought were attainable but who could suddenly become so.
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From the “names” directly proposed by subscribers in the mailbag, Renan Lodi, Matt Targett, Sven Botman, Hugo Ekitike, Moussa Diaby, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ivan Toney have all featured prominently in conversations. That does not mean any of that lot will necessarily sign, and undoubtedly there are targets who have not yet been seriously discussed in public yet, like with Lyon midfielder Guimaraes in January.
Is the budget really £60 million to £80 million, or is that just messaging from the club to downplay expectations? — Jack C
How do you square the circle of Newcastle being linked with £50 million bids for Lucas Paqueta and in the next paragraph us being reminded of financial fair play (FFP)? — Andrew B
The budget is not set, Howe has not been informed on what it is specifically, and it can be supplemented by player sales. But multiple senior sources have confirmed that, as things stand, the figure sits somewhere between £60 million and £100 million, and intermediaries have been informed that Newcastle are not “awash with the money some claim”.
It is true no club ever publicly confirms their transfer budget, and there is probably a tiny degree of kidology involved from Newcastle as they attempt to reduce likely asking prices.
However, as Howe has already stated, and as insiders stress, the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules do hamper Newcastle. That is explained thoroughly here but, essentially, they are keen not to repeat Everton’s mistakes and frontload their outlay, which would prevent them from spending in the future, particularly until commercial revenues increase.
Of course, Newcastle want to maximise their resources and there are shrewd methods to do that. For example, initial loans with options or even obligations to buy have been floated, which would push expenditure into a later financial year. Also, amortisation, an accounting tool, allows clubs to spread a significant transfer fee over the length of a contract — if a £50 million player arrives on a five-year deal, only £10 million counts towards FFP per each 12-month accounting period — and may allow Newcastle to further stretch their funds.
In terms of how Newcastle’s likely summer business is being reported, I cannot speak for other journalists.
Paqueta is liked by the scouting team and he did feature briefly in conversations with Lyon in January before a bid for team-mate Guimaraes was made, but Howe is expected to prioritise a striker and a wide forward ahead of a No 10 this summer so, at this stage, it seems Newcastle are focusing their attentions elsewhere.
Any advice on how I can judge which rumours are sensible and which are not? — Mark R
Do you think we’ll see fewer agents and clubs using Newcastle’s name and simply linking their players? — William H
Neymar was tentatively linked the other day — and he will not be coming to Tyneside this summer, you’ll be shocked to read…
Nor will anyone on an astronomical salary, with Newcastle keen to retain some wage-structure discipline in the medium term as they wait to grow their revenue streams. Their top earners are now at around the £100,000 per week mark and, while they may offer figures a little greater than that, you can dismiss anyone on hundreds of thousands a week.
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You are also probably safe to discount anyone getting towards the end of their career — such as Gareth Bale, who turns 33 in July. Newcastle know they must reduce the age profile of their squad and want to sign players who can grow with them, rather than ones who’ll be topping-up their retirement fund.
As for agents and clubs using Newcastle’s name, that has continued and will do so, unfortunately. I do not expect it to be quite as widespread as it was in January, when it was relentless and often farcical, but it is not going to suddenly stop.
Is it better to buy a young striker to cover for Callum Wilson, rather than someone expensive to immediately challenge him? — Daniel E
There’s a lot of talk about a back-up to Wilson, but should we be targeting a striker who can make Wilson the back-up? — Simon W
What are the chances of Ivan Toney rejoining Newcastle? — Pratap M
Do you believe in Jesus… to NUFC? — Steven B
There are pros and cons to both approaches but, ideally, a proven striker who can actually challenge Wilson for his place, and ensure there is no drop-off in attacking standards when he is injured, is preferable. Wilson made a huge difference in the late-season games against Arsenal and Burnley, after five months out, but his fitness just cannot be relied upon.
Ideally, Howe wants another senior forward, which is why Calvert-Lewin, Nunez, Toney and Patrik Schick — before he signed an extension at Bayer Leverkusen — are among those to be discussed.
However, the fees being quoted for some of those are, according to one source, “fucking ludicrous”. Newcastle will keep searching, in the hope they find a suitable centre-forward at an acceptable price, but they may decide later in the window to only bring in a younger option, or perhaps even a couple.
They remain hopeful they can lure Ekitike of French club Reims, who almost signed in January, despite interest from Borussia Dortmund. Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah has also long been admired by Nickson, but other European-based forwards are being tracked. If a goalscoring winger such as Diaby of Bayer Leverkusen in Germany can be acquired, then that may allow Newcastle to defer signing a senior striker for another year, given Chris Wood looks set to stay.
As for Gabriel Jesus, Manchester City’s Brazilian forward is not someone I have heard Newcastle are looking to bring in. While I’m sure they like Jesus, his wages would almost certainly be an issue.
Do you expect us to sell Allan Saint-Maximin to free up wages and increase the budget? — Ramon F
We have written a couple of in-depth pieces looking at Saint-Maximin’s situation in recent weeks and, essentially, little has changed since we did.
The expectation is that the Frenchman will stay with Newcastle into 2022-23 because he is so important to them in an attacking sense.
If a sizeable offer — more than £40 million — arrived, then the club would at least consider it, as they could potentially reinvest that money in signing a replacement. But as things stand, there has been no substantive interest in Saint-Maximin and nobody is expected to bite at that price.
With AC Milan now Serie A champions, is the Botman deal dead in the water for Newcastle? — Jake B and Charlie J
A few weeks ago, Newcastle thought Lille defender Botman was destined for San Siro — but, subsequently, they have been informed that move is not sealed yet and that the Dutchman retains a desire to play in the Premier League.
Newcastle were thwarted by Lille’s reluctance to sell him in January but the deposed French champions are now keen to cash in. The problem is that Botman is rated by major clubs across the continent and there will be competition for his signature, but Newcastle have made it clear they are still interested in the 22-year-old.
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Nickson first proposed Botman and, while Howe has also been impressed by the reports, the head coach has alternative targets, including some domestic ones. Nathan Ake (now of Manchester City) and Lloyd Kelly, both of whom Howe signed for Bournemouth, were mentioned during meetings in January and they would be viewed as ideal recruits, although their fees may prove prohibitive.
It is understood that Howe wants at least one centre-back in. A left-sided defender was prioritised in January but right-sided players are also being considered this summer.
Did Aston Villa outbid Newcastle for Diego Carlos? Or did Newcastle drop their interest? — Craig W
Did Newcastle try to sign Boubacar Kamara before Villa? — Michael B
Diego Carlos was a top target in January but Newcastle’s situation has changed since then. While experience was a vital characteristic for Howe at that time, there is a desire to reduce the age of the squad this summer, which is why 29-year-old Carlos slipped down their list. He was still spoken about, but Newcastle always planned to look elsewhere first.
As for Kamara, he has been proposed repeatedly in recent windows by the recruitment team, but he too had fallen down the pecking order for the summer window, despite his contract at Marseille expiring. Guimaraes’ arrival in January lessened the requirement for a Kamara-esque defensive midfielder immediately, with other positions taking precedence first.
It is no coincidence that Newcastle and Villa continue to fish in a pretty similar player pool, though, just as they did with Lucas Digne of Everton in January.
Both are operating in a market below the Premier League’s current top six and are among the most ambitious clubs outside of the established elite, so they are likely to continue finding themselves in direct competition for players over the next couple of windows.
Are loans, free transfers and players in the last year of their contracts a focus for summer recruitment? — Steven D
Are there any free agents the club are interested in? — Jacob J
Yes, Steven, they are, for all of the FFP reasons discussed. Newcastle believe they can find some bargains among players entering the final year of their contracts, and will likely then look at loans later in the window.
As for free transfers, James Tarkowski, who is leaving Burnley as a free agent, has been discussed but, like in January, he is seen as a reserve option and Newcastle will focus on other targets first. The same applies to Nketiah. I am sure there are others, too.
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Release clauses are also attractive to Newcastle, who activated Wood’s at Burnley during the last window. Some players at Leeds United, including Jack Harrison and Raphinha, were believed to have relegation escape stipulations in their respective deals, but the Yorkshire club’s last-day survival means they can now demand greater fees.
Should Newcastle spend on a collection of good squad players, or elevate our quality with a few superstars? — Alex W
That is an ongoing internal debate, because FFP means Newcastle cannot solve all their problems during one summer window.
I would opt for the latter — with “quality” the key, rather than signing “superstars” per se — as long as the players brought in definitely improve the starting XI.
Howe has shown he can extract more from previously underperforming players, but they need to be supplemented with arrivals with greater ability.
Which players do you expect to leave? — Matthew W
Will Newcastle struggle to find a market for the players they want to offload? — Brad H
Will Miguel Almiron, Jamaal Lascelles or another “surprising” player leave? — Alan T and Peter C
How much do you think we can raise from player sales? — Eric B
If a decent offer arrived, then Newcastle would consider bids for a significant number of their squad — but as of yet they have not had concrete interest in their fringe players.
Jeff Hendrick, Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie, Isaac Hayden, Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez and Karl Darlow are among those who could depart, while Almiron and Lascelles are arguably Newcastle’s most-saleable assets that Howe would countenance allowing to leave.
The problem is that none are likely to command significant fees and, realistically, I think Newcastle would do well to recoup £40 million in player sales. So many of their ageing players have lucrative contracts with time left to run, and they are unlikely to find terms similar to what they are on at St James’ elsewhere, so may be reluctant to move on.
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Newcastle may need to pay some players off, or subsidise their wages on loan, to reduce their squad size — though those costs also contribute to FFP.
Howe faces a tricky task, as Newcastle still have 32 senior players on the books.
Are the club in talks to extend Howe’s contract? — Stephen L
As well as Howe has done, do we need someone like Mauricio Pochettino to take us to the next level? — Siddhanth J
It is understood Newcastle’s hierarchy are actively reviewing the contracts of staff across the club, including at first-team level; and, while they only handed Howe his current deal, which runs until 2024, when he was hired in November they could yet decide to extend it and improve his terms.
Ghodoussi told The Athletic in February that he hopes Howe can become the “next Alex Ferguson”, and his work so far has impressed the ownership.
The challenge now is to take Newcastle into the top 10 and beyond but Newcastle will afford him time rather than look to lure Paris Saint-Germain and former Tottenham coach Pochettino or another big name.
Do you think the Saudi Arabia link will discourage players from signing? — Richard S
I have not heard of a player turning down Newcastle yet because of their ownership, but I suspect it could be an issue for some, or at the very least a consideration for them.
The ties are not going away, and so the moral questions will continue.
What do we do when we’re offered £100 million for Joelinton?! — Graeme L
Reply with, “And where’s the rest?”, Graeme.
Joelinton has been a revelation in midfield this season, and Howe rated him even before the positional switch.
Of all the first-team squad members, the Brazilian is among the least likely to depart in the short term — though I’m sure an offer worth more than the £40 million Newcastle paid Hoffenheim for him three years ago would at least lead to a conversation about what to do next.
Are the club privately aiming for a top six finish next season? — Craig B
Do you think we’ll stay up next year? Are we absolutely sure this isn’t all a dream? — Paul K
You did make me chuckle, Paul — but no need to pinch yourself, it is real.
For the first time in more than a decade, merely trying to avoid relegation is not the target for 2022-23.
As for a top six finish being targeted, Craig, no, I don’t think it is. I know Joelinton has said the aim should be European qualification and even if I am not ruling that out, I do think this squad have overperformed since the turn of the year.
For Howe, being comfortably in the top 10 a year from now having had a good cup run along the way would be progress, and I agree with that assessment.
(Photos: Getty Images)
