Ten big transfers Newcastle United could seal this summer - and how likely they are to land them

The summer transfer window will provide a pivotal period for Newcastle United as they prepare to return to the Champions League after an absence of two decades.

Few had expected Eddie Howe’s side to challenge for a place in Europe when the 2022/23 season got underway, even fewer had picked the Magpies as genuine contenders for a place at European football’s top table. Yet some near faultless work over the course of two transfer windows and the uncanny ability Howe and his coaches possess in bringing the best out of their existing squad members saw Newcastle secure a top four place ahead of the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

After building their squad around successful signings such as England duo Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier, Lille centre-back Sven Botman and Brazil international midfielder Bruno Guimarares, all eyes are on Tyneside and how the United hierachy will act during the summer as they look to build on the serious momentum built up last season.

3AddedMinutes identifies ten players linked with a move to St James Park and assesses the chances they have of walking out in black and white when the 2023/24 season gets underway.

Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen) - 20%

The former Paris Saint-Germain academy winger has been a long-term target for the Magpies and has come under the gaze of their recruitment staff on several occasions over the last 12 months. Diaby has impressed and has produced a very impressive return of 14 goals and 11 assists in 48 appearances in all competitions during the season as Leverkusen secured a return to European competition with a sixth place finish in the Bundesliga.

However, there is a belief that the demands of his club - believed to be north of £50m - has led to Newcastle considering other options as they look to stretch their transfer budget in a bid to bolster their squad ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Scott McTominay (Manchester United) - 30%

Although speculation over a move for McTominay has provoked some negativity from Magpies supporters, there is a belief that Eddie Howe sees value in offering the Scotland international a route out of Old Trafford if the price is right.

Able to function in a number of different roles in the heart of the midfield, McTominay’s physical presence and his ability to press are viewed as positive attributes for a potential move to St James Park. That said, United seem to be considering other options as it stands and a move to Tyneside feels increasingly unlikely at this point in time.

Gabri Veiga (Celta Vigo) - 30%

There was some talk that a move for Veiga was edging closer over the last fortnight - but that was immediately quietened by sources within the club.

The Celta Vigo midfielder has been watched by Magpies representatives on several occasions but they were far from alone as a whole host of scouts from Premier League, Serie A and Ligue 1 clubs have also made the same journey. Veiga is another promising young talent that has shone throughout the season with 11 goals and four assists in 40 appearances and he gave further sign of his quality when he scored both goal in his side’s 2-1 home win against La Liga champions Barcelona last weekend.

United are interested - as are Cheslsea and Liverpool - and have monitored Veiga, but they will have to fight off some serious competition to land one of Spain’s most promising talents over the course of the summer transfer window.

Khephren Thuram (Nice) - 30%

Newcastle are not the only club to have monitored Thuram over the season, nor are they the only club to have mentioned the OGC Nice midfielder in their plans for the summer transfer window.

An energetic and commanding presence in the heart of the Ligue 1 side’s midfield, Thuram’s form earned a maiden call-up to the France squad in March and he secured his first senior cap for Les Bleus when he replaced Adrien Rabiot as a late substitute in a 4-0 win over the Netherlands in a Euro 2024 qualifier.

The 22-year-old has all of the attributes to slot into an Eddie Howe midfield and would unquestionably compliment a number of existing options in the Magpies squad. But there is also significant interest from elsewhere and Newcastle would need to be at their persuasive best if they were to complete a move for Thuram.

Harvey Barnes (Leicester City) - 40%

The Magpies interest in Barnes actually precedes the PIF-led consortium’s takeover at St James Park in October 2021 and Eddie Howe’s arrival just under a month later. The Foxes winger ability to provide a goalscoring threat from out wide is something that was lacking in United’s wing options prior to the fine performances of Miguel Almiron this season.

Indeed, Barnes stats make for impressive reading with the once-capped England winger scoring 35 goals and providing 25 assists in 146 Premier League appearances for Leicester prior to their shock relegation from the top tier just under a month ago. Barnes is a player of interest and is one of several players that suffered relegation that have been discussed by the Magpies over the last few weeks. At the moment, this one feels unlikely, but things could change if other targets don’t end up on Tyneside.

James Maddison (Leicester City) - 50%

If Newcastle had their way, Maddison would have been currently preparing for his second season as a Magpie. United were believed to have made three unsuccessful offers for the Leicester City playmaker last summer after being given encouragement to make a move by the club and the player’s representatives.

However, Maddison remained at the King Power Stadium and was unable to prevent the Foxes slipping into the Championship. United’s interest remains strong and there is a belief Maddison is open to a move to Tyneside if the two clubs can agree a few that will surely be some way below the reported £50m offers made last summer.

However, there are reports both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen on the England star - so this one can probably be categorised as one to watch at this point in time.

Arda Guler (Fenerbahce) - 50%

A relatively new name that has hit the headlines over the last 12 months, Guler’s stunning form during a breakthrough season with Turkish giants Fenerbahce has caught the attention of a whole host of big name clubs around Europe - including Newcastle.

The 18-year-old midfielder scored six goals and provided six assists in 34 appearances for Fenerbahce and earned the first of two senior Turkey caps during the campaign. Arsenal, Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan have all been suggested as possible suitors for the youngster and recent reports have suggested Newcastle believe he is Premier League-ready and are considering a move over the course of the transfer window. Again, this is probably one to watch as interest from around Europe continues to grow.

Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Leipzig) - 60%

On the face of it, this one should possibly be rated higher than 60%. After all, Newcastle have shown significant interest in Szoboszlai and the Hungary international has hinted he would be interested in a move away from RB Leipzig over the summer transfer window.

There is interest from elsewhere and there have been suggestions the Magpies would consider one of Szoboszlai or Maddison, but bringing in both players would be two expensive as they continue to emphasise the importance of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.

Recent reports from The Telegraph have also hinted Leipzig are looking for a sizable fee to allow one of their prized assets to depart during the close-season and Newcastle are reportedly ‘not keen’ to meet his £60m release clause. At the moment, there is a feeling this one could drag on - but the interest is definitely there from the Magpies.

Kieran Tierney (Arsenal) - 80%

Newcastle’s left-back situation is a somewhat complex one. Their main ‘natural’ left-back option is Matt Targett, yet the former Aston Villa man found himself playing a supporting role to Dan Burn throughout what was an overwhelmingly positive season for his side. Northern Ireland international Jamal Lewis remains a Magpie for the time being, but there are reports he has been told he can leave St James Park this summer and both Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie are currently just three weeks away from the end of their current deals - although Eddie Howe has suggested the United stalwarts could be handed extensions.

Despite having five players that can play on the left-hand side of one of the Premier League’s best defences, there is still a feeling it is an area that can be upgraded. Several options have been considered, including Benfica star Alex Grimaldo - who has since signed for Bayer Leverkusen - and Monza’s Brazilian defender Carlos Augusto.

But the fact Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney comes with Premier League experience, along with other attributes that make him ready to slot into the Magpies squad, has forced the Scotland star to the front of the queue and there have been suggestions Newcastle have already put in plenty of groundwork to make this deal happen, despite reported interest from Aston Villa.

Yankuba Minteh (Odense) - 95%

Newcastle’s search for young talent has taken them to places far and wide over the last 12 months - and one player that looks to be firmly on his way to Tyneside - in a literal sense - is Odense winger Minteh. The 18-year-old Gambia international has made just 17 appearances for the Danish club, yet looks to have done more than enough to convince Magpies staff he is capable of continuing his progression at St James Park.

There have been widespread reports a fee of around £5.8m has been agreed between the two clubs and it has been suggested the youngster is set to have a medical on Tyneside over the coming days. In the short-term, it seems highly unlikely Minteh will form part of Eddie Howe’s first-team squad and he could follow the path of Garang Kuol by spending the opening months of his time as a Magpies on loan elsewhere.