Newcastle United's stunning £160m transfer window predicted as Inter, Torino and PSG stars join

Newcastle United’s summer transfer window business has already kicked off with a flurry of activity at St James Park.

The Magpies completed the free transfer addition of Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly and brought in goalkeeping duo Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy to provide competition for England international Nick Pope. Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall’s loan move to St James Park was also converted into a permanent deal. There were outgoings as United’s battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations dictated the sales of Gambia international Yankuba Minteh and academy graduate Elliot Anderson to Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest respectively.

But what other business could Howe conduct as he looks to help Newcastle bounce back from what felt like an underwhelming season last time out? Who could the Magpies boss bring in to compliment the likes of Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes and hopefully lead his side back into European competition after they missed out last season? We fire up Football Manager 2024 to see just how the world’s most popular managerial simulation predicts what business the Magpies will conduct during the remainder of the summer transfer window.

Goalkeepers

There were already two new additions to Howe’s goalkeeping ranks after Nottingham Forest stopper Vlachodimos and Birmingham City veteran Ruddy both moved to St James Park earlier this month. However, there was one piece of business conducted by the virtual Howe as long-serving Magpies keeper Martin Dubravka joined Saudi Pro League time Al-Shabab in a £3.5million deal.

Howe’s goalkeeping options: Nick Pope, Mark Gillespie, Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy.

Defenders

Once again there were two additions to the Magpies squad prior to this simulation after Lewis Hall completed a permanent move to Tyneside after spending last season on loan with the Magpies and Lloyd Kelly reunited with Howe at St. James’ Park after his contract with Bournemouth came to a close.

However, they were far from the only new faces as Howe added two more defenders to his ranks after landing Torino centre-back Perr Schurrs in a £28million deal and Sassuolo left-back Josh Doig in a £10million move. Emil Krafth’s time as a Magpie was brought to a close with a £3million switch to French club Lyon.

Howe’s defensive options: Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Lloyd Kelly, Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Perr Schuurs, Josh Doig.

Midfielders

It was a case of one out and two in for Howe’s midfield ranks. The sole senior departure saw academy graduate Sean Longstaff complete a £12m move to Nottingham Forest as he entered the final 12 months of his current deal at St. James’ Park. In his place came Brazilian star and current Fulham target Andre, who made a £16m switch from Fluminense, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Carlos Soler. He was a loan signing but a £5m permanent move could follow next summer. In other news, Sandro Tonali has returned from his suspension and has put pen-to-paper on two-year extension to his contract.

Howe’s midfield options: Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Joe Willock, Sandro Tonali, Carlos Soler, Andre

Forwards

The first piece of positive news here is that Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon have remained at St. James’ Park and will form key parts of Howe’s attacking options for the new season. However, there were some big additions as the Magpies handed over a club record fee of £68million for Inter’s France international Marcus Thuram. That came 12 months after the former Borussia Monchengladbach forward was initially linked with a free transfer move to Newcastle.

He was joined by Bologna winger Ricardo Orsolini, with a £38million deal enough to land the seven-times capped Italy international. Around £40m was brought in from the sales of Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron, who made respective moves to Lille and Valencia.

Howe’s forward options: Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Ricardo Orsolini, Marcus Thuram.