Magpies look to strike more forward deals
NEWCASTLE United have calmly moved on to the next phase of their recruitment in the summer transfer window after successfully bolstering their defensive rearguard.
Nick Pope and Sven Botman will hook up with their new teammates this week while Matt Targett walks through the doors at Benton as a permanent signing after his £15million move from Aston Villa.
The attention now swings to the final third for both sporting director Dan Ashworth and head coach Eddie Howe as they look to continue what has been an impressive and value-for-money summer spending spree so far.
Like Botman, one target who has never been crossed off the list this summer is Bayer Leverkusen’s France star Moussa Diaby.
A huge fee of £60million was quoted at one stage this summer but the German side may be prepared to come down on their asking price.
Another target has been Everton’s Dominic Calvert-lewin but it remains to be seen whether the Toffees budge on their £60million asking price.
As they have proved already this summer, Newcastle will not pay over the odds and the market is beginning to demonstrate that clubs are not prepared to be held to ransom on deals.
Arsenal’s acquisition of Brazil star Gabriel Jesus at £45million has proved not every fee for a Premier League striker has to be astronomical.
Everton’s financial woes – with Richarlison already sold for £60million – may also mean Calvert-lewin eventually moves for less.
Howe, though, certainly has options and is expected to use his loan options to help bolster the squad.
Both Ashworth and Howe know the squad will have to be trimmed down with 34 senior players expected back for the early stages of pre-season training.
Decisions will need to be made on returning loanees such as Jeff Hendrick, Matty Longstaff and Kell Watts too.