What a dream Newcastle United transfer window looks like - including shock St James’ Park announcement

Newcastle United supporters could be forgiven for getting anxious about a slow start to the transfer window. Last season exposed the Magpies’ weaknesses, with an injury crisis shaving Eddie Howe’s squad down to the bare bones.

Newcastle’s starting line-up can rival any Premier League side on their day but they lack the 15 or 16 top-level players needed to become consistent contenders. That could change, however, with several bold moves in the coming weeks.

It is not just Newcastle who have endured an underwhelming window so far. Only Manchester United - and arguably Aston Villa - have made significant moves.

Whether the lack of activity can be attributed to FFP/PSR regulations is a story for another day but hope remains that the Magpies will have a successful summer. Club officials met last week to discuss recruitment and, with pre-season in full swing, movement should happen soon.

But what would a dream Newcastle transfer window look like? Here is the perfect scenario ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.

A ruthless winger

A right-winger is a position Newcastle have needed since the takeover. Yankuba Minteh, a youth player who has now been sold, remains the only player signed in this position.

Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy are the current options but neither are viewed as the long-term answer. Reports have linked Almiron - who turns 31 in February - with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Signing a player on Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes’ level would transform Newcastle’s attack - especially with Anthony Gordon on the opposite flank. Michael Olise was a rumoured target before he joined Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace.

Long-term successor

The Magpies are well-stacked at centre-back but many are injured. Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are ruled out until the winter with ACL setbacks, meaning Fabian Schar and Dan Burn will likely start the campaign in defence.

Both players are on the wrong side of 30 and Newcastle may look to sign a long-term partner for Botman. Lloyd Kelly arrived from Bournemouth on a free transfer but he prefers the left side of defence or left-back.

With Schar approaching 33, his successor has become a priority and several high-profile names have emerged. Reports last week suggested the Magpies are keeping tabs on Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo.

Time’s up

Newcastle have a cohort of players on high wages that are no longer part of Howe’s plans. Jamal Lewis was given a chance in the behind-closed-doors friendly against SpVgg Unterhaching at the weekend but will be allowed to leave.

The likes of Harrison Ashby, Ryan Fraser and Isaac Hayden are also surplus to requirements. Stars like Kieran Trippier, Martin Dubravka and Callum Wilson may also be allowed to leave if the right offer comes along.

Freeing up room on the wage bill could prove vital when hunting for incomings. Long-term contracts offered during Mike Ashley’s era are slowly - but surely - coming to an end.

Stadium boom

Away from the pitch, fans are eager to learn more about a possible stadium expansion. Toon chiefs are understood to be keen on expanding St James’ Park rather than building a new state-of-the-art venue.

A report from the i earlier this year claimed Newcastle spoke to world-class architects to tackle the logistical conundrums that bolstering the capacity have produced. Leazes Park, Leazes Park Terrace and St James Metro Station offer sizable headaches but the Magpies are confident in solving the problem.

The Telegraph claim club officials are confident in expanding to 60,000 - an 8,000-seater increase. Construction could even begin as early as next year and any announcement this summer would place the cherry on the cake.