Big-money Newcastle United summer signings are imminent - here’s four reasons why

Newcastle United supporters could be forgiven for entering pre-season with a slight sense of trepidation. Toon chiefs frantically dashed over the FFP/PSR deadline with two reluctant player sales on June 30.

Amanda Staveley then bid from the boardroom after valiantly freeing the club from Mike Ashley’s pocket and laying the foundations for success in the ensuing years. Just as summer preparations began ramping up, Newcastle were met with Gareth Southgate’s resignation as England manager and, as a result, Eddie Howe speculation.

Will he stay? Won’t he? As of yet, the FA are yet to make a formal approach but the media landscape seems unanimous behind Howe being appointed as Three Lions boss.

There has been little noise around big-money incomings but fear not, Newcastle fans, as room for optimism remains. NewcastleWorld has profiled four reasons why Toon supporters should stay positive that a marquee arrival is imminent.

International hangover

During a big international summer, transfer activity is delayed. Euro 2024 and the Copa America took focus away from the club game for a month, with elite players tied up with their national teams.

Both competitions finished on Sunday so expect deals to escalate. Manchester United have already signed Dutch international Joshua Zirkzee and are on the brink of making French talent Leny Yoro their second major signing.

Expect other Premier League clubs to follow suit now the coast is clear to contact clubs, agents and players themselves. The post-international hangover is usually cured by a flurry of high-profile deals…

Crunch talks

Toon CEO Darren Eales revealed on Tuesday that talks are already underway between Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell. He said: “We're into a new PSR cycle and we are having those discussions.

"Paul Mitchell has come onboard and it is for him and Eddie to discuss what sort of targets they want and the areas they want to strengthen. It's then important to have those meetings to decide where we are going to allocate those resources to strengthen our squad. That is what we are looking to do, but these situations are very fluid."

With club officials back in swing ahead of the new campaign, recruitment will be top of the agenda. Newcastle are based in Germany this week before kicking off their pre-season against Hull City next week so transfer plans will undoubtedly ramp up.

The rear-view mirror

There is no denying that Newcastle cut close to the bone regarding FFP/PSR last season. Selling Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson was not preferred but eventually became essential to alleviate the balance sheet for another season.

The final full year of Mike Ashley’s ownership, when commercial revenue was at a minimum, is now chalked off the three-year cycle. Newcastle will now have more headroom to do deals especially with Adidas and Sela sponsorships, as well as Champions League prize money, kicking in.

The 2021-22 campaign is next to exit the balance sheet when the Magpies were very much sticking plasters over Ashley’s wounds in the transfer market - another positive sign. Newcastle generated £68million from player sales on June 30 and, with Anderson an academy product, they have now “unlocked'' sizable spending power.

Time… or lack thereof!

There is less than a month - 30 days to be exact - until the Premier League season kicks off. As mentioned, Newcastle face Hull next Saturday before jetting off to Japan. The Sela Cup rounds off the Magpies’ warm-up schedule ahead of the opener against Southampton on August 17.

Time is of the essence and only a fool would bet against Newcastle splashing the cash this summer. Do not expect PIF to empty the clio in the coming weeks but a transfer spend similar to last season is plausible.

A right-sided attacker is a must and possibly a centre-back who can partner Sven Botman long term. Mitchell’s priority over the next month is to identify targets but the Magpies will also not be held to ransom.