Newcastle United were always predicted to spend big this summer, following their £94 million spree in the January transfer window, and £60 million has already been splashed out on goalkeeper Nick Pope and defensive duo Matt Targett and Sven Botman.
And Eddie Howe’s attention now turns to improving Newcastle ’s attack. Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby has risen to the top of the wish list, while Everton ’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been a long-term target, with the pair valued at £60m each.
But on top of any new additions this summer, the 44-year-old has plans to unleash a multi-million pound attacking threat that is already amongst the ranks on Tyneside, which has already proven to be incredibly lethal in the Premier League.
The Magpies returned to pre-season training on Friday (July 1) as Howe called his players back five days earlier than Steve Bruce had just 12 months ago in order to get his squad in peak physical condition as soon as possible ahead of their season opener against newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on August 6.
And amongst those who returned last week were forward duo Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser, who both missed large parts of last season through injury, and Howe will have been licking his lips at what could potentially be for the upcoming campaign.
The pair formed a remarkable partnership during their time together at Bournemouth under Howe, and now the former Cherries boss will look to ensure that the same ‘deadly and proven’ formula can once again be used at his disposal ahead of a huge campaign for the Magpies.
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During their time on the south coast, Wilson and Fraser made Premier League history in 2019 after combining 12 times for goals and even beat a record set by Alan Shearer and Mike Newell during the Geordie legend's stint at Blackburn in the 1995/96 season (11). Fraser set up Wilson a remarkable seven times, while the striker returned the favour on five occasions.
Wilson signed for the Magpies in September 2020 for around £20m, and has since gone on to register 20 goals and five assists in 44 top flight outings during his two-season stay. Fraser, meanwhile, arrived on a free transfer in the same month, and has recorded three goals and six assists in 51 appearances in all competitions.
But the pair haven’t quite been able to strike up that same lethal partnership that found them plenty of success at Bournemouth, with a number of injuries for each player limiting their time on the playing field together. But now that looks set to change ahead of this season.
Ahead of Howe’s first full season in charge, the 44-year-old knows exactly what type of threat he has at his disposal and a full pre-season under their former Bournemouth manager could help to rediscover the spark between them. Following his appointment in November, Howe spoke glowingly about the pair.
He said, via Chronicle Live : “They had a great relationship in terms of the numbers they delivered. They're two great players individually but I think like any team you're dependent on the partnerships in the team and playing in unison. We'll try and create that here."
However, with the Magpies still expected to bring in attacking reinforcements, there poses a threat to a renewed link-up between Wilson and Fraser. But, until that day comes, Howe will be sure to get the two working in unison once more as he looks to unearth that winning combination already at his disposal on Tyneside this summer.
