Newcastle United are braced for another wild window of transfer business after recent results eased the worry of relegation. With the Magpies closing in on survival, thoughts will naturally turn to who could join Eddie Howe 's squad in the summer.
The January window could hardly have played out better. Aside from Chris Wood 's shaky form and the injury to Kieran Trippier, it has been plain sailing for the winter additions.
Matt Targett has slotted in nicely at left-back, showing the form Aston Villa fans say he was missing at the start of this campaign. While local hero Dan Burn has been welcomed with open arms after forming a formidable partnership with Fabian Schar at the heart of the defence.
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It goes to show that all those tears shed over missing out on Sven Botman and Diego Carlos in January were for nothing. A big-name central defender was top of Newcastle's list of priorities in January. But the new owners refused to give in to the over-inflated price tags of the European duo in particular and have managed just fine without them, saving a few quid in the process.
The likelihood of one of those names arriving in the summer remains likely, with Newcastle still keen on both centre-backs. However, the club's focus on signing a big-money centre-back should change going into next season.
Callum Wilson remains the Magpies' top scorer this term despite being out of action since the back end of 2021. The goals haven't exactly been flowing from elsewhere in the absence of the ex-Bournemouth hitman, who has missed 29 games through injury since leaving the Cherries for a move up north.
Wilson is one of the first names when fully fit but with lofty expectations surrounding next season already, there will be fan clamour for a marquee signing in attack.
One name that continues to be linked with a move to Tyneside is Benfica's Darwin Nunez. The 22-year-old was a key target in January and has also caught the eye of Arsenal and West Ham, with David Moyes keen to finally nail down some competition for Michail Antonio.
Head of recruitment Steve Nickson is a huge fan of the forward, scouting him in depth over the past 12 months. Benfica are reportedly open to letting him go for a fee of around £65m in the summer.
Foreign media continue to link Victor Omishen with a move to the north east following his impressive season with Napoli. The Nigerian forward is another who will be courted by other European sides but would be a huge statement of intent should a deal be done.
Hugo Ekitike is another attacker the club could target if they want a youthful option for the future after failing to lure the Reims striker to England in January. Should Newcastle stay up this season, the project may look more appealing to the 19-year-old than it did a few months back.
There will be countless names linked with Newcastle and their new-found riches in the months to come. And making sure an attacker of note is signed in the summer should be the new priority.
