Newcastle United’s 2024-25 Premier League season gets underway in just under four weeks time with newly-promoted Southampton the visitors to St James’ Park.
There have been significant changes behind the scenes on Tyneside during the last fortnight. Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have both departed the club with Paul Mitchell coming in as sporting director and James Bunce as performance director.
Prior to Mitchell’s appointment, the Magpies signed Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth while Odysseas Vlachodimos joined from Nottingham Forest as part of the trade-off that saw Elliot Anderson move in the other direction to help solve the club’s Premier League Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) concerns.
Another goalkeeper, John Ruddy, has also linked up with United following his release from Birmingham City. Lewis Hall can also be classed as a new signing after his permanent £28million move from Chelsea was made official on July 1.
But with only Kelly and Hall in with a realistic shout of playing regularly this campaign, Newcastle fans are clamouring for further new signings.
Here, NewcastleWorld predicts the starting XI Eddie Howe will name on the opening day of the season - on the unlikely basis that there is no transfer activity before then:
5. LB: Lewis Hall
The left-back, who has officially joined on a permanent deal from Chelsea for an initial £28m, finished last season strong. Deserves the opportunity to keep building. | NUFC
6. CM: Bruno Guimaraes
The Brazilian's £100m release clause has expired but don't expect the speculation to go away! That said, it feels very unlikely that Newcastle will sell him now his future is in their hands. | Getty Images
7. CM: Sean Longstaff
With Joe Willock still recovering from an Achilles injury and Sandro Tonali unavailable until September, Longstaff is set to start the campaign. | Getty Images
8. CM: Joelinton
Newcastle missed Joelinton for a large chunk of last season and it proved costly. His physicality and aggression in the middle of the park is vital. | AFP via Getty Images