Newcastle United ‘not giving up’ on £40m-rated defender transfer amid fresh goalkeeper ‘blow’

Newcastle United’s Premier League campaign has now officially drawn to a close.

The Magpies relegated Burnley with a 2-1 win on the final day thanks to a brace from Callum Wilson at Turf Moor.

Newcastle’s fine turnaround in the second half of the season was capped off by an 11th place finish they could only dream of earlier in the campaign, when they were battling relegation.

Eddie Howe will now beging preparations for next season, armed with a likely war chest, though, he will have to spend smart.

Due to Financial Fair Play regulations, Newcastle can’t simply spend their way to success in one season.

But they will have money to spend, and in that vein, we have rounded up all the latest transfer news and rumours surrounding St James’ Park.

Botman chase

Newcastle are said to be plugging away in the race to sign Sven Botman.

Botman was a target of the Magpies’ in January, but they couldn’t get the deal over the line.

Four months or so later and Botman is being tipped to join Serie A champions AC Milan, but reports from Calciomercato say Newcastle are not giving up.

The Dutch centre-back could remain on the cards for the Magpies, but they will have to beat Milan to the punch.

He was valued at around £40m by his club back in January.

Goalkeeper blow

One player the Magpies do look set to miss out on is Thomas Strakosha.

The Lazio stopper is out of contract this summer, and he has been heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park.

It’s no secret Howe wants a new ‘keeper, and Strashoka has been mooted as an option, available on a free transfer.

But Gianluca Di Marzio is reporting that newly promoted Fulham are set to complete the signing of Strakosha ahead of the end of his contract.

Newcastle now likely have to look elsewhere, and they have already been linked with a move for Manchester United’s Dean Henderson.