Thread by @nufcsanjay

THREAD🧵: Newcastle United's 2023/24 Summer Transfer Window 🔎

With transfer season well and truly kicking off, and with #NUFC set to make some important moves, I thought I'd have a closer look at what we need, and who could be most suitable.

Having secured Champions League football in the first full season of the new ownership, there’s no doubt that this summer will be one where the hierarchy looks to push #NUFC into a position where that becomes a regularity.

In order to do this, we still need to operate as efficiently as we have so far.

It means finding value in the market - picking up players who not only have quality, but players who can fit seamlessly into Howe’s brand of football, and at prices that don’t see us get ripped off.

There's a lot of other intricacies this summer for us in terms of squad registration rules and outgoings, which will impact the business we do this summer. I'll just be focussing on the incoming players here though.

It’s been difficult to say what exact positions we’re going to target, but from the bits coming out in the media, and with versatility in mind, I think we’re almost certain to get these three positions:

▪️ Versatile No. 6/No. 8
▪️ Versatile playmaker (No. 8/Winger)
▪️ Left-back

And I think we might be in the market for the following positions, but will strike if the right deal becomes available:

▪️ Right-back
▪️ Right-sided centre back

𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗗:

This is the highest priority position in order to bulk up a midfield which is short of numbers. A natural no. 6 would be nice, but in order to stay within squad number rules, a versatile midfielder who can interchange with Bruno might be more suitable.

Manu Koné is someone I’ve waxed lyrical about for his roundedness, and I’d go with him here again. His ability to impact the game in all departments, as well as the potential to grow, makes him an incredibly desirable asset for #NUFC.

https://twitter.com/nufcsanjay/status/1591809648818012161?s=20

Aside from him, I’d look at two other Frenchmen - Khéphren Thuram and Maxence Caqueret.

Caqueret is a personal favourite of mine. I described him as the ‘dream’ signing in October 2021, and he’s still someone I really like as a player.

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗥:

For a while an out-and-out right winger looked likely, but after the signing of Gordon, I think we’ll look for a more creative player who can also slot in centrally.

I think a left-footer is needed, but it’s difficult to find that profile of player.

The two names who are constantly linked with #NUFC for this role are James Maddison and Dominik Szoboszlai, and it’s difficult to not mention them.

Both of them fit that positional profile, while having bags of end product. I’m leaning towards Szoboszlai, but both are great.

Apart from those two, there are a few others who fit those requirements in my eyes.

Mohammed Kudus brings that desirable left-footedness along with versatility, and I'd love an ambitious move for Julian Brandt who’d fit like a glove in every sense.

𝗟𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞:

It’s a slightly difficult position to judge for us. Do we want a Burn-esque defensive fullback who can help us build-up in a three? Or do we want a more traditionally attacking LB which might give us more ways of setting up?

There’s one player who seamlessly ticks both boxes, while providing loads of experience, technical quality, and leadership.

Kieran Tierney. For me, even despite the injuries, he’s the best option available to us.

If we were to go for a ‘defensive’ LB, I actually think that it’s easier to find a technical and athletic left-sided CB and mould them into that role. Someone like Gonçalo Inácio could be an option if we want to play with this asymmetric back four.

If we go for a conventional, attacking LB that gives us a different profile to Burn, I love the idea of Ian Maatsen, especially as he can invert in possession.

Milos Kerkez is another great talent, while Borna Sosa ticks a lot of attacking boxes.

https://twitter.com/nufcsanjay/status/1600526037913403398?s=20

𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞:

The right-back situation is interesting for #NUFC. Krafth is a completely different profile to Trippier, Manquillo looks to be leaving, and Ashby is unproven.

Kieran Trippier will need a reliable understudy next season, and we arguably don’t have that yet.

I wrote a thread on this position in December, and although my no. 1 pick Malo Gusto is now at Chelsea, Southampton's relegation has given us a shot at my no. 2 pick, Valentino Livramento.

He’s a huge talent, and would really future-proof that position.

https://twitter.com/nufcsanjay/status/1603436518776905729?s=20

𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧-𝗦𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞:

This position is hard to call. Schär has had a great season and we don’t have to replace him immediately. However given his age and Lascelles’ profile, it might be a position where we could look to plan for the future.

The question is whether we go and get a first-team ready player now, and integrate them throughout this season, or do we get a younger CB with the aim of gradually phasing them into the side in the long-run?

If we’re going all out, it’s Jean-Clair Todibo for me. Another player I’ve mentioned previously who has loads of quality in possession, is athletic, and is a strong natural defender.

Axel Disasi is great too, and also ticks similar boxes.

https://twitter.com/nufcsanjay/status/1585303691929604097?s=20

Kim Min-jae is a name that has cropped up recently too. I would never have thought of it as realistic, however given the links and the apparent release clause, maybe it is. I’d say he’s already a top 10 CB in the world, maybe even higher.

All of those would cost more than £35m, so maybe a cheaper, younger and domestic option is of interest.

It could be worth testing Man City’s resolve for Taylor Harwood-Bellis. He’ll probably go back to Burnley, but I’m so certain he ends up being a CL quality player.

So, to summarise a top 5 from each of the five positions (along with the LB caveat) that I think we’ll recruit for, I have as follows:

Another thing to add - my five positions aren't an exhaustive list.

There's been talk of us buying a true no. 6 as well as the versatile midfielder. A left-winger could become needed if ASM leaves, and a young forward is entirely possible too.

It’ll be an interesting summer for sure. I do think that there could be a slightly more domestic-based spin than what I’ve suggested here, but hopefully we find some of the value in the market that exists outside the Premier League.

It’s going to be exciting, but stay patient, and don’t expect a massive overhaul.

I think we’ll see a significant injection of quality without an exodus, and without the harmony and togetherness of the squad being harmed. I’m looking forward to it. #NUFC