The summer transfer window is one that will look very different to January for Newcastle United.
Most importantly, the Magpies will know where their short-term future lies in July as the Premier League season will have concluded.
While the available finances for transfers are unlikely to change too drastically, the difference between offering Premier League or Championship football is huge.
Go here for all the latest Newcastle United news
Newcastle’s precarious position in the table will have likely deterred a number of January targets from agreeing a deal to move to Tyneside with the very real risk of relegation starring Eddie Howe’s side in the face.
Securing top-flight safety this season is huge for Amanda Staveley and the other members of the ownership group who are hoping to be able to pitch a long-term project to potential new players.
There was still significant business done at St James’ Park during the January window but the plan was quite clearly to bring more reinforcements to the club.
The arrival of Dan Burn from Brighton is welcome but supporters, and the club’s hierarchy, believe at least another central defender should have been signed.
It certainly wasn’t for the want of trying though as big-money approaches for Sven Botman and Diego Carlos were ultimately unsuccessful.
It will be interesting to see, should Howe keep Newcastle in the Premier League, whether or not they will revisit their January targets at the end of the season.
We have assessed whether or not that will be the case.
Sven Botman
For much of January, Sven Botman seemed to be the Magpies’ main transfer target with the final offer of £50m being their largest of the window.
However, Lille were keen to keep hold of their star centre-back as they prepare for the continuation of their Champions League campaign later this month.
Botman did speak on his future following the closure of the window and after claiming ‘it’s a very nice project’ that was offered to him by Newcastle, he could certainly be tempted to seal the switch in the summer.
However, the 22-year-old is widely viewed as one of the best young defenders in the world so there are likely to be a number of top clubs monitoring his situation.
The lack of European football to be offered at St James’ Park might hold Newcastle back if they are to be challenged by some of the top clubs but, if he is as interested in the project as he claims, then a deal will certainly still be on the table.
Diego Carlos
Like in January, Diego Carlos is likely to be the back-up option if the Magpies are unable to strike a deal for Botman.
That isn’t to say he isn’t a very capable centre-back though as he continues to show that he is one of the best centre-backs in Europe.
Once again, he will be courted by teams who will have Champions League football to offer but, as he was also interested in the January move to Newcastle, he could be tempted again in the summer.
Although, between now and July, his stock is only likely to rise with Sevilla firmly in the La Liga title race whilst boasting the division’ best defence.
Jesse Lingard
There were hopes on Tyneside that a deal for Jesse Lingard could be struck in the final knockings of the transfer window but Manchester United were unwilling to accept the loan terms offered by Newcastle.
He will almost definitely be available for free in the summer as he currently holds no interest in extending his expiring contract at Old Trafford.
If they do want to renew their pursuit of the England midfielder, Newcastle will certainly not be alone and the contract they would have to offer would likely supersede the wages of every other player at the club.
Lingard turns 30 this year and it is hard to imagine those in charge of recruitment will be looking to sign ageing players as part of the ‘project’ that we keep hearing about.
He would still be able to do more than a job in the next couple of seasons but younger alternatives might be explored.
Aaron Ramsey
It would be very surprising to see Newcastle pursue a move for Aaron Ramsey in the summer for all of the same reasons that they would not take another look at Lingard.
The Welshman has struggled to recreate the form he showed at Arsenal during his time with Juventus and his loan at Rangers in the second half of this season will indicate how good he still is.
A successful stint with the Scottish champions is unlikely to tempt those at St James’ Park into revisiting their interest, especially given the significant wages that he is earning in Italy.
Hugo Ekitike
It would be extremely surprising if Newcastle were not looking to continue their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike at the end of the season.
After having their January offer accepted by Reims, they know that the French side are willing to sell the young striker and a lesser offer might be enough when the summer transfer window opens.
Like Botman, Ekitike is an extremely promising prospect and he could well be a mainstay in the side in the North East for a number of years if he is signed.
The reason for the 19-year-old’s rejection of Newcastle’s contract was understood to be personal doubts at making such a significant move at his age.
Unfortunately for the Magpies, yet again they are unlikely to be the only side looking to tempt Ekitike away from Ligue 1 in the summer and they could face another transfer tug-of-war that they were hoping to avoid in January.
For the latest Newcastle news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
