17 free agents Newcastle United could sign for nothing ahead of Champions League campaign

Newcastle United will already be preparing for the summer transfer window as they look to build a Champions League-ready squad.

The Magpies have secured Champions League football for next season, and fans will already be counting down the days until the return of those European nights at St James’ Park. In the meantime, Howe needs to improve his squad significantly to be ready compete at the highest level, especially given the Magpies will go into the group stage in the lowest seeding pot, guaranteeing them three more experienced opponents.

But that doesn’t mean the Magpies need to break the bank, especially given some of the talented free agents potentially available this summer. Here we take a look at the 17 best options from around Europe.

Youri Tielemans

Tielemans is one of the hottest Premier league properties available for free this summer.

He will leave Leicester City at the end of his contract, dodging Championship football, and there will be plenty of competition for his signature. Newcastle will be wise to get involved in the race.

Wilfried Zaha

Newcastle may reinforce their ranks out wide, particularly if Allan Saint-Maximin moves on. Zaha could be an option if he doesn’t extend his deal at Crystal Palace. The winger has Premier League experience in abundance, and his explosive pace could give Newcastle that something extra next season.

Ilkay Gundogan

Gundogan could yet stick around at City, and if he doesn’t, he is likely to have very high profile options. Newcastle would have to offer a huge wage to get this one done, and it does look unlikely. But there is no dounbting that the German is one of the best free agents available this summer.

Roberto Firmino

Firmino looks likely to move abroad, but with plenty of Premier League and Champions League experience, he could add something different to what Howe has up top, and on a free transfer no less.

It would be a surprise if the Brazilian did stay in the Premier League, but if he does, Newcastle could be one of the options given their Champions League qualification.

N’Golo Kante

Kante’s future is uncertain with talks with Chelsea still said to be ongoing. The Frenchman has struggled with injury this season, and he would be a risk on that basis, but when fit, the energetic midfielder outperforms most.

Jefferson Lerma

Lerma has been a powerhouse for Bournemouth over recent years, and one can only imagine what he is capable of in a better team. Newcastle would be wise to consider adding Lerma for competition in their midfield, needing another holding central player.

Adama Traore

Traore looks set to leave Wolves, and he is likely to have plenty of options abroad. He has shown again this season how his pace and power can cause problems in the Premier League, and he could be a good depth option for Europe, able to play at wing-back and as an out-and-out winger.

Lucas Moura

Moura will be an attractive option this summer as he leaves Tottenham at the end of his current deal.

The Brazilian has pace in abundance, and as he showed on the final day of the season, he can still be an incisive and dangerous player. On a free deal, why not?

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Oxlade-Chamberlain would be more of a depth option at this stage of his career, but he could certainly challenge for a starting spot and offer his vast experience.

Marco Asensio

Asensio is a top winger who will likely be a starter wherever he goes this summer. Aston Villa have been linked, and Real Madrid are likely to offer a new deal, but the Spaniard may want more regular starts.

A seasoned Champions League and La Liga winner who is still only 27 years of age, Newcastle should get involved in this race.

Dani Ceballos

Ceballos is another who will receive a renewal offer from Real Madrid after a solid season. If he does leave, the midfielder is likely to join another La Liga club, but if he doesn’t, he will be a good midfield signing, already carrying some Premier League experience following time on loan with Arsenal.

Aleix Garcia

One from left-field. Aleix Garcia is a talented and dynamic central midfielder who has enjoyed a superb season with Girona this term. Garcia could be a gem waiting to be unearthed this summer, still only 25 years of age.

Adrien Rabiot

Moving over to Italy, and Rabiot could well leave Juventus this summer as his contract ticks down. He has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, as well as others abroad, and it would be a tall task for Newcastle to pull off a deal, but he is some player.

Andrea Belotti

Belotti is much more of a target man than what Newcastle currently have between Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak, and it will be interesting to see if Howe does explore the option of signing a ‘different kind of striker’ this summer. Belotti could yet stay at Roma, but he may well be available.

Evan Ndicka

The 23-year-old centre-back is headed for big things as one of the highest rated young defenders. He looks to be on his way out of Eintracht Frankfurt, and there will be plenty of interest. Newcastle could pull off a huge deal if they could manage to land Ndicka.

Raphael Guirreiro

Guirreiro has been a loyal servant for Borussia Dortmund, and it will be interesting to see if a deal can be agreed, or indeed if he moves on. He is a versatile defender with a tonne of experience at the very top level. He is still only 2, too, still in his prime years.

Moussa Dembélé

Dembélé burst onto the scene with Fulham and Celtic, but his career has been a little patchy since then. He scored three goals for Lyon this season and will leave at the end of his deal. The forward, who can play across the front line, is still a very talented player at 26 years of age, and on a free transfer, he could be a risk-free gamble.