Newcastle United have already identified 'no brainer' transfer this summer

Newcastle United will have to box clever this summer as they once again come face-to-face with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Having splashed around £400million on new signings across four transfer windows under their Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia owners, the Magpies have hit a PSR wall. But they aren't’ the only ones, maybe unless you’re part of the so-called ‘big six’.

Just £92.6m was spent by Premier League clubs in January, compared to the staggering £780m 12 months earlier. With Everton and Nottingham Forest handed points deduction for breaching financial rules and concerns over the recent lack of spending, proposed changes are set to come into play - but not in time for the summer.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe hopes to bolster his squad so it can compete three or likely four fronts next season with European qualification edging closer. And one way of potentially maximising his transfer kitty is the free agent market.

While free agents still cost money in terms of wages, signing-on fees and agents fees, it removes the stress of a transfer fee. That, in theory, leaves more in the pot to strengthen other positions.

Only Howe will truly ever know what areas of the squad need improving, but it wouldn’t be wrong to assume that a central defender is on the agenda, with both Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman sidelined until late-2024 with ACL injuries. Fabian Schar is also likely to miss the remainder of the season.

That leads us onto Tosin Adarabioyo, who is set to leave Fulham at the end of his contract this summer.

“Tosin has to be clear about his future when he decides to be clear about his future, and he has to talk about it,” Fulham boss Marco Silva revealed last week. “Of course we are here to try to prepare as best we can the future of the football club.

“We haven’t hidden that situation that we try to renew with him, not just him but other players near the end of their contracts and it’s not been easy. Probably his future is not going to be at the club anymore.”

Newcastle’s interest in Adarabioyo is no secret by any means. Schooled at the Manchester City academy, the ball-playing centre-back isn’t short of admirers, Chelsea being the latest.

His attributes, which fits Howe’s style, coupled with his 78-game Premier League experience, makes signing 26-year-old the clichéd “no-brainer”. He may not be a long-term solution as such but at present is low-cost and low-risk, and would allow Newcastle to focus their attention on spending to improve other areas.