The six big signings Newcastle United could make this summer - including £21m gem and Serie A machine
Newcastle United are gearing up for a hectic summer transfer window
It’s fair to say that Newcastle United didn’t have the best of times in last summer’s transfer window. A whopping £55m was blown on the ineffectual Anthony Elanga. A further £43m dropped on Jacob Ramsey, who struggled with an ankle injury and never really looked the part in Eddie Howe’s all action midfield. As for £55m flop Yoane Wissa, let’s not even go there.
The Magpies spent over £250m on new players last season, and bar the acquisition of centre-back Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, the side looked no better for their big-money new additions. This was proven on the field, where Newcastle bumbled their way to a 12th place finish in the Premier League, missing out on European football altogether.
It looks like the club are wasting no time getting down to business this summer, with reports indicating they’re closing in on a £24m move for Reims goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen. It’s an intriguing move, given that the towering shot-stopper is just 20-years-old and currently plays in the second tier of French football. However, the fee suggests Newcastle are ready to spend big this summer.
As the countdown to the start of the transfer window continues, we’ve scoured the gossip columns and the rumour mill to find six signings the Magpies could make this summer - including a top class Serie A defender and an exciting prospect also on Chelsea and Brighton’s radar.
The top class signings Newcastle United could make this summer - Yohanna to Munoz
Zadok Yohanna - AIK: A rising talent set for big things, the 18-year-old right-winger has been hotly tipped to join Newcastle this summer. Brighton, famed for their savvy recruitment strategy, were the initial front-runners to snap up the teenage talent, but the Magpies could now hijack the deal, amid additional interest from Chelsea.
He’s been tearing it up in Sweden’s top tier this season, and is expected to smash the record for the league’s biggest sale when he moves - he’s been tipped to go for around £21m. Yohanna is unlikely to be a starter should he join the Magpies, but it would be a surprise to see him spend the whole season in the U21s without a crack at first-team football.
Antonio Nusa - RB Leipzig: With Anthony Gordon off to Barcelona for £70m, Newcastle are looking to fill the void on their left wing. They’ll have plenty of funds to do so, and Norway international Nusa appears to be on the Magpies’ radar. He’s been impressing in the Bundesliga this season, as well as with his national side ahead of the World Cup.
He’s been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time, with Spurs just missing out on signing him back in January 2024. His reputation has continued to grow, but the hype has somewhat died down. With the competition easing off, Newcastle could have an ideal opportunity to swoop in for Nusa this summer.
Victor Munoz - Osasuna: While Nusa may be a bit of a long shot, this one looks like it could well happen. The Magpies have been consistently linked in both the Spanish and British press with Munoz for the past few weeks, with the 22-year-old gem impressing scouts to the extent that Newcastle could be close to submitting a bid in the region of £30m.
Things are slightly complicated here, however, with Real Madrid having a buy-back clause to recapture their former youngster should they wish to. He squeezed his way into Spain’s World Cup squad, and should he get some game time, will only see interest in his services grow. The North East club may have to move quickly to get this one done.
The top class signings Newcastle United could make this summer - Scalvini to Palestra
Giorgio Scalvini - Atalanta: A long-term target for the Magpies, the Italy international remains on their shortlist heading into the summer transfer window. With his nation failing to make the World Cup, he’ll benefit from a much needed rest before the start of next season, which could give Newcastle a serious advantage with so many Premier League defenders heading to North America.
The powerhouse centre-back has played five Serie A seasons with Atalanta since making his debut as a 17-year-old for his boyhood club, but could well move on this summer as he look to take on a new challenge. He’s likely to cost a hefty £40m-£50m, which means Eddie Howe will need to be certain he’s the right man to improve their back-line before taking the plunge.
James Trafford - Manchester City: While Jaouen looks to be coming in, he’s unlikely to be Newcastle’s first-choice ‘keeper next season, and the club are expected to sign a more established Premier League stopper too. Trafford had a nightmare last season, joining Man City to be their number one, only for the club to then sign Gianluigi Donnarumma when the opportunity presented itself.
Trafford, who has been tipped as England’s next starting goalkeeper, is widely expected to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer to avoid his career stalling. The Magpies are among a number of Premier League sides said to be in the mix, and are thought to be well ahead of the likes of Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the race to sign him.
Marco Palestra - Atalanta: Could Newcastle seal a double deal to snatch Palestra from Atalanta alongside Scalvini? You never know. Howe needs a new right-back following Kieran Trippier’s move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the club are said to be increasing their efforts to sign the 21-year-old gem, who spent last season on loan at Cagliari.
A real stumbling block, however, is potential competition from Liverpool, who struggled for options at right-back last season after Conor Bradley’s brutal knee injury. Palestra could cost between £30m-£40m, making him a significant investment. He’s been capped twice by Italy, and is capable of playing a right full-back or in a more advanced wing-back position.