Six players Newcastle United are expected to try and sign this summer - and four they probably won’t

Newcastle United wrapped up a fantastic season yesterday with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as the players and staff now head off for a well deserved break.

With a top four finish secured it means the Magpies will be back in the UEFA Champions League next season and that will likely mean a big summer of recruitment ahead. The financial flexibility and pulling power that qualifying for Europe’s elite competition gives will make St James’ Park an appealing prospect for many quality players.

Newcastle have been actively linked with hundreds of players ever since their 2021 takeover but some rumours have persisted this season that look like they have a strong chance of being true. Looking at the latest from oddsmakers and their transfer specials, here are six players it looks like Newcastle United are likely to try and sign this summer and four that they probably won’t be making bids for:

Six players Newcastle United are expected to try and sign this summer

Leicester City are bracing themselves to lose several of their star players following their relegation from the Premier League and Newcastle United are believed to be the current frontrunners to land midfielders James Maddison and Youri Tielemans. The England international has plenty of interest with Spurs believed to be their biggest rivals for his signature. Tielemans will be available for free when his current deal expires this summer but United would probably have to offer a bumper wage packet to fend off the likes of Aston Villa, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Midfielders appear to be the players most consistently linked and the Magpies have also been tipped to raid another relegated side, Southampton, for their skipper James Ward-Prowse. The Saints are not expected to be able to keep a hold of the England international while in the EFL Championship and Newcastle are thought to be leading the race for his signature ahead of West Ham, Brighton, Spurs and Aston Villa.

Manchester United’s Scott McTominay and Chelsea’s Connor Gallagher are also tipped as being likely arrivals at St James’ Park this summer. Both are believed to be interested in regular first team football, which they have struggled for at their current clubs. West Ham are also thought to be interested in McTominay while Liverpool are believed to be in the hunt for Gallagher.

Finally, another player who is thought to be leaving his current club to get more regular game time is Arsenal left back Kieran Tierney. The Scotland star has fallen behind Oleksandr Zinchenko in the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium and United are heavy favourites to snap him up.

Four players who Newcastle probably won’t try and sign this summer

Eddie Howe has as good as confirmed that Newcastle United will not be in the market for some of the very biggest stars in the world, despite constant reports linking them with global icons. PSG pair Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have had their names thrown around but deals look unlikely. Interestingly, Manchester United are considered the most likely destination for the Brazilian if he leaves Paris while the Frenchman would likely head to Real Madrid if he was on the move.

Lionel Messi will be leaving PSG this summer but it’s highly unlikely he will be heading to the North East of England. The World Cup winner seems set to be headed to Saudi Arabia but a return to Barcelona also looks like an option while Manchester City are thought to be his most likely Premier League option.

One recent rumour doing the rounds is that Newcastle are interested in Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire. They, along with West Ham, are considered an option for the 30-year old but it is actually Aston Villa who are believed to be the current frontrunners for his signature if he leaves Old Trafford.