Eddie Howe has started to look closer at the players he wants to sign for the 2023/24 season with Newcastle United.
The Newcastle United head coach has his own clear vision of the type of stars he deems capable of fitting into his attacking Magpies side. And Howe will have a big say on who comes through the door this summer despite a vast scouting team being assembled around him at Benton in recent times.
When asked about recruitment, Howe, speaking at his press conference, said: "When you have a period without a game naturally you look a bit longer term and things that are on the horizon and recruitment becomes important.
READ MORE: Steve Harmison's take on NUFC since takeover and reply to Klopp financial dig
"I've started that work myself. I haven't necessarily had conversations with anyone at the club regarding the summer, but I've started the process of watching players."
Newcastle will go into their third transfer window with the involvement of a sporting director in Dan Ashworth. The recruitment model at United is a joint effort, and Howe knows there could be changes on targets along the way.
He said: "I think I would have an idea (of what he wants in the summer) but it's changeable.
"I know there'll be a lot of rumours about this position and that position. I'm the manager and it's not as clear cut as that because you have players who can change your mind, targets who you're looking at so you need to identify the right players to come in and fill those positions, so it's never as easy as that."
Newcastle continue to fight for a place in one of the European competitions next season and could find themselves in the Champions League, which is is expected would alter the landscape in terms of recruitment and the players possible to bring in. That pursuit of the top four continues this weekend with a home game against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
