Newcastle United’s summer transfer window has been one of frustration for the club and it’s supporters, with plenty of deals for top priority targets falling through as the Magpies fail to live up to their reputation as the richest club in the world.
Goalkeeper Nick Pope and defenders Matt Targett and Sven Botman have already been acquired for a combined total of £61million, but it is at the opposite end of the pitch where Eddie Howe is desperate to add top class quality to his side.
Mirror Football brings you up to date with the current state of play on all the names who are being heavily linked with the Magpies as deadline day grows ever nearer.
Goncalo Ramos
Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos has emerged as one of Newcastle ’s top striker targets in recent weeks following a breakthrough campaign last season, but following an electric start to the current campaign with five goals and three assists in five games, interest in the player is only intensifying.
Following Benfica’s victory over Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday night, manager Roger Schmidt hinted that a move could still be on for his striker, saying, via Chronicle Live : "It's football, it's a business, the market is open, we can't be sure of anything, we're just focused on the next game."
It has been reported that any bid north of £35m could see the 21-year-old depart this summer, but the Magpies face added competition from Wolves, while talkSPORT claim Southampton are exploring a move for the Benfica striker after sending scouts to Portugal.
How many strikers will Newcastle sign before the transfer window closes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Joao Pedro
Watford ’s Joao Pedro is another forward who is being strongly linked with a move to Tyneside this month but the Magpies have already had a bid of just under £20m quickly knocked back by the Hornets, who insist that the Brazilian is not for sale this summer.
However, Newcastle haven't given up hope and the Daily Mail reported earlier this week that Newcastle are already preparing an improved offer for the 20-year-old, who is valued at £35m and has 14 goals in 76 appearances for the Vicarage Road outfit since joining in 2019.
Pedro is understood to be keen on a swift return to the Premier League following Watford’s relegation last term and the Magpies are preparing an improved offer in the region of £25million plus add-ons in order to get their man, although Watford are bearing in mind that they owe Fluminense a 10 per cent sell-on fee.
Lucas Paqueta
Lucas Paqueta was a target for Newcastle back in the January transfer window before they eventually landed his comrade and Lyon teammate Bruno Guimaraes instead, but it is now thought that the Magpies are back in for the Brazilian midfielder due to his availability for a cut-price fee.
According to 90min, Newcastle's current focus in the midfield department has switched from signing James Maddison to Paqueta, after Lyon dropped his valuation to around £33m from £50m, which was too much at the time for Newcastle’s owners back in January.
Despite enjoying a fruitful campaign last season with 11 goals and seven assists, Paqueta is thought to be open to the idea of linking up with his former Lyon teammate Guimaraes at St. James’ Park once again this summer, which could be a huge deciding factor in the deal.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Conor Gallagher
Newcastle have been eyeing up at least four Chelsea targets of late as they prepare a raid on the Blues before the end of the transfer window.
But winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and midfielder Conor Gallagher are said to be top of the list, with both players not expected to be regular starters under Thomas Tuchel this term. TalkSport claim Newcastle are now waiting to see whether Chelsea are willing to let either player go before the deadline.
Hudson-Odoi was strongly linked with a move up north early in the transfer window but those rumours have once again resurfaced as he looks for regular first team football, while Gallagher enjoyed a fantastic spell at Crystal Palace last term and aims to continue his development.
