How Newcastle United's monster £423m new line-up could look this season - if top transfer targets are signed

Newcastle United fans had braced themselves for a turbulent summer, but few could have foreseen the absolute chaos that has embroiled the club since the end of last season. They’ve lost key players in Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, with skipper Bruno Guimaraes set to follow. Long-term manager Eddie Howe made a shock exit, and a number of transfer targets have been snapped up by Premier League rivals at the last minute.

It’s very much a reset for the Magpies now, with incoming manager Matthias Jaissle tasked with leading the major rebuild. With no European football next season, Newcastle will be able to focus solely on their domestic duties, and will be eager to improve on a dispiriting 2025/26 campaign that saw the side finish 12th in the Premier League table.

A handful of exciting young talent has arrived in the window so far, with new goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, winger Bazoumana Toure and central midfielder Aladji Bamba among the fresh signings picked to take the North East side into their new era. Further additions are expected, after the Magpies raked in a significant amount of money through their summer sales.

Ahead of the new season getting underway in just over two weeks time, we’ve taken a look at how Newcastle’s £423m - the figure taken from the fees Newcastle paid for their existing players and the rumoured asking price of their transfer targets - starting line-up could look this season, as the countdown to their eagerly anticipated opening fixture at home to Liverpool continues.

Newcastle’s potential new-look XI for this season: Goalkeeper and defence

GK - Lukas Hornicek: With Nick Pope struggling last season, Newcastle made the decisive call to bring in a new number one. £26m man Hornicek was their stopper of choice, and will look to be a dominant presence between the sticks for the Magpies standing at nearly two metres tall. You’d expect him to be an invaluable asset when it comes to defending set-pieces.

RB - Tino Livramento: Like many of the Magpies’ top players, Livramento was the subject of transfer interest earlier this summer. However, after an injury that saw the 23-year-old miss out on playing for England at the World Cup, the rumours quickly dried up. He’ll be Jaissle’s first choice right-back, with a back four likely to be deployed.

CB - Giorgio Scalvini: Newcastle have been heavily linked with the Italian centre-back of late, and are said to be favourites to sign him ahead of Tottenham. He’d likely cost over £40m, and would be a gamble given his history of long-term injuries. That said, the 22-year-old still has bags of potential, and could be an excellent signing should he fully overcome his fitness issues.

CB - Sven Botman: The left-footed centre-back missed eleven games through injury last season, but is expected to be fit and raring to go for the new campaign after a summer off to rest and recuperate. He’s heading into his fifth season at St. James’ Park, and has racked up over 100 appearances for the club during his time on Tyneside.

LB - Lewis Hall: Manchester United are desperate to get their hands on the ex-Chelsea left-back, but Newcastle have been bullish in their no-sale stance - they simply can’t afford to lose another key player. Hall will most likely stay for the upcoming season, and be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Newcastle’s potential new-look XI for this season: Midfield and attack

CM - Aladji Bamba: The £36m midfielder arrived from Monaco earlier this summer, and will be tasked with revitalising Newcastle’s depleted engine room. The 20-year-old is known for his exceptional stamina and passing ability, making him the kind of energetic all-rounder who could thrive in the Premier League.

CM - Petar Sucic: Newcastle will look to partner Bamba with another new signing - one brought in to replace Guimaraes, which is easier said than done. Sucic has been linked with the Magpies over the course of this transfer window, and could be an ideal replacement for their departing Brazilian. Whether Inter are willing to let him go for a reasonable fee remains to be seen.

AMR - Anis Hadj Moussa: Premier League sides buying from the Dutch top tier is notoriously a bit of a gamble - for every Luiz Suarez, there’s been about ten Luuk de Jongs. Feyenoord’s Moussa is believed to be a top target for the Magpies, having impressed in the Eredivise with his lightning pace and dribbling ability. He bagged 14 goals for his side last season, and could be an upgrade on the struggling Anthony Elanga.

AMC - Joelinton: Newcastle’s £40m man continues to be linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, but for now he looks like he should still be at the club when the new season begins in mid-August. Heading into his eighth season with Newcastle, Joelinton now needs to shoulder the responsibility of being one of the few long-standing players left in the squad.

AML - Bazoumana Toure: There was much excitement following the Ivory Coast international’s £42m move from Hoffenheim - he looks set to replace Gordon on Newcastle’s left wing. Toure is a tireless presser who thrives on the counter-attack, possessing the acceleration necessary to leave opposition defenders in the dust.

ST - Yoane Wissa: Nick Woltemade is expected to leave St. James’ Park on loan this summer, meaning that Wissa will be tasked with leading the line. He simply didn’t fit into Howe’s setup, but has proven himself as a high quality Premier League striker in the past at Brentford - Jaissle will be determined to reignite the DR Congo international’s career, and get him back to his best.

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