Newcastle plan up to six summer signings with four priorities identified – Report

Eddie Howe admitted this week that we chose not to sign last month as the right player was not available for the right price, preferring to save our funds for a summer where players of higher quality should be up for grabs are more reasonable fees.

On that note, a new piece by The i’s Mark Douglas has emerged, with the North East reporter revealing the early noises regarding our summer transfer plans.

He reveals that ‘substantial investment’ is expected, with one source telling the i that there is “constant meetings” taking place to improve the squad. “We’ve got clear plans on what we’d like to do”, was the message.

As for which positions we plan to improve, Douglas reports that Newcastle want a new goalkeeper, left-back, midfielder and centre-back ‘as a minimum’. This suggests a new No.1 as an upgrade on Nick Pope, much-needed cover for Lewis Hall, another option in a midfield lacking creative spark and potentially a young centre-back to replace the departed Jamaal Lascelles and ageing Fabian Schar, who is 34 and out of contract this summer.

Two other possible areas of investment come at right-back and in attack. Kieran Trippier, 35, is likely to depart, Emil Krafth is out of contract and Tino Livramento is yet to sign a new deal after talks, while another striker may be needed to support Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, especially if Will Osula moves on for regular minutes elsewhere.

The i Paper also report that Newcastle had been planning to resurrect their interest in Reims midfielder Patrick Zabi. There was confidence the 19-year-old, dubbed the ‘next Pogba’, would arrive this summer, yet he has instead joined Paris FC for £21.5m.

Even though Zabi opted to remain in France, it looks like sporting director Ross Wilson will be pursuing more deals of this nature; hidden gems with high potential to become star players of the future.