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...
5. RWB: Nahitan Nandez
Generally regarded as a central midfielder, the Uruguayan is drafted in from Cagliari and promptly converted into a right wing-back. | Getty Images
6. LWB: Elseid Hysaj
Another high-quality addition in a completely revamped backline, the Albanian joins from Lazio for £41m. | Getty Images
7. CM: Julian Weigl
Weigl costs £34m when he leaves Benfica for Tyneside, adding yet more international quality into Howe’s squad. | AFP via Getty Images
8. CM: Lisandro Martinez
Capable of playing in defence or midfield, Martinez could prove to be something of a bargain after signing from Ajax for just £13m. | Getty Images