This summer promises to be an exciting one for Newcastle United and their supporters.
With plenty of money to spend and a renewed sense of optimism surrounding the club, the Magpies continue to be linked with a whole host of new acquisitions.
Already, they have moved to bring in Matt Targett and Nick Pope, suggesting that the club’s transfer chiefs will keep on pursuing the steady building policy that served them so well in January, rather than going all out to sign a glittering array of world-renowned, ready-made mega-stars.
But what exactly does the rest of the summer have in store for Eddie Howe’s side?
We took to Football Manager 2022 to find out.
The popular video game franchise is renowned for its meticulous detail and authentic approach to the world of, well, football management, and we thought we’d take a look into the future by fast forwarding to the end of the 2022 transfer summer transfer window.
Check out the Toon Army’s in-game starting XI from the first day of the 2022/23 Premier League season below...
1. GK: Andre Onana
Signed on a free transfer, the 26-year-old takes over from Martin Dubravka between the sticks.
2. CB: Gabriel Paulista
Arriving from Valencia for £25m, the former Arsenal defender is immediately given the captain’s armband at St. James’ Park.
3. CB: Diego Carlos
He may have opted for Aston Villa in real life, but in-game the Magpies beat Steven Gerrard’s men to the punch and lure him to Tyneside.
4. CB: Manuel Akanji
A £21.5m acquisition from Borussia Dortmund, the Swiss defender is part of the Toon Army’s new look back three.