Newcastle already had 170 million in signings in half a year

Newcastle became the nouveau riche of the Premier League when it was acquired in October 2021 by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund for 354 million euros. Then the ‘magpies’ were in a relegation position, but Eddie Howe’s arrival on the bench and a series of winter market signs helped him to take flight and finish the English championship in a well-deserved eleventh place.

Now, with Howe further strengthened in his management roles, Newcastle want to take another step forward and opt for a higher level next season. Gradually, the board is configuring the squad and, after 102 million euros invested in January in Bruno Guimaraes, Chris Wood, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Matt Targett, 29 were paid into the market this summer, where they has been added briefly another 40 where it will be your new reinforcement for the defense. That means the total has reached 170 in just half a year.

The assigned Targett is already owned

Newcastle’s first step after the end of last season was to activate the option to buy international Matt Targett. The 26-year-old English left-back came on loan in January from Aston Villa and his exceptional performance (he played 16 full Premier League games and only missed one) led the club to cash. at 17.5 million euros (including 3.5 of the assignment itself) was initially agreed.

Goalkeeper Pope signed from Burnley

The first reinforcement in the form of a signature was announced on Thursday. This is Nick Pope. At 30 years old, the English international goalkeeper left Burnley, after his inevitable relegation from the Premier League, for 11.5 million euros and came to Newcastle to fight for ownership over Slovakian Martin Dubravka.

Agreement with Lille for Botman

Just hours later, Newcastle got another reinforcement for their defensive line. Although the announcement was not official, according to British media, the ‘magpies’ board reached an agreement with Lille for the signing of Dutch Under-21 international center-back Sven Botman, whom Howe wanted to sign in January.

Admired by many clubs, including Milan, Botman will play for Newcastle at the age of 22 in exchange for a transfer fee of around 40 million euros. With him, Howe has completely changed his defense since, in addition to Pope and Targett, since the winter he has also included right back Kieran Trippier (Athletic) and center back Dan Burn (Brighton).

Ekitike, good purpose

Backed at the back, Newcastle will now focus on attack. His big target is promising French center forward Hugo Ekitike, just 20 years old, 1.90 tall and sought after by important European clubs, such as PSG. In January, Howe wanted him to be included but the young player preferred to continue with Òscar Garcia’s Reims.

If they finally can’t sign him to the market this summer as well, Newcastle will focus their efforts on Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton). Other players that Howe is also interested in are midfielders Lucas Paquetá (Lyon) and Andalusian Fabián Ruiz (Naples).