It’s the beginning of June, more than 20 days away from the start of the transfer window, which will end on August 31st at midnight. Footballers are either on vacation or in various FIFA/UEFA qualifications, but the football executives are on full alert. And among them is the newly appointed Newcastle United director Dan Ashworth. The highly-rated British executive who worked for the England FA and then revolutionalized Brighton will have lots of work, because, in the richest club in the world, the football agents are always at the door, ready to offer their players. And so far, there have been 54 of them (and counting).The arrival of Dan Ashworth should speed up the completion of the Ekitike deal. #nufc will then focus their attention and money on landing one of their centre back targets with Ake and Botman at top of the list https://t.co/FRSq6vHc32— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) June 7, 2022 Even the bigger clubs in England and Europe have been connected with fewer clubs than the Magpies. And most of the agents (and media) are obviously not so informed about the situation in the club, because they keep coming up with stories (and figures) that are totally unrealistic. Newcastle United, deep in a relegation battle, were the biggest spenders in January 2022, as the Magpies spent 112 million dollars, but for the summer, a different approach will be required. Due to the club’s long term vision and UEFA’s Financial Play rules, Newcastle won’t spend as much as in January.Newcastle get their most valuable recruit – the next phase of the project has begunDan Ashworth will now have a key role in finding three, or four players in a position of need and who don’t command big wages, so the vast majority of those 54 players will not be even considered. There will be a room for only one big-name signing (like a promising youngster Sven Botman, who can be a cornerstone of a new team), but nothing more. The sum will go over 100 million dollars only if they manage to sell some players. Newcastle needs a defender, a midfielder, a winger and a striker, with a possible goalkeeper (but only as a backup).So, let’s look at some of the 54 players in which Newcastle are ’interested’:Newcastle love their recent Lyon purchase and are now preparing 59 million for another oneStrikersPaulo Dybala – is a free agent, but if Tottenham were reluctant to pay his wages, is it realistic for Newcastle to do it?Rafael Leao – 22 years old Portuguese international had one good season for AC Milan and is alraedy sought. He is on the verge of signing a new contract with the Italian champions, and will play in the Champions League.Gianluca Scamacca – Sassuolo striker will be sold this season, but he already refused Arsenal, as he wants to stay in Italy.Marcus Rashford – Erik ten Hag will surely give him a chance to prove himself. With his talent, he will surely try everything to remain with the Red Devils, who are already without strikers Cavani and Greenwood.Darwin Nunez – The Uruguayan is the hottest striker out there, but he costs like the entire Newcastle summer budget, so…Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Now this is a realistic possibility, but a lot of things will have to happen. He would be a 100% transfer target if Everton were relegated, but now the Magpies could only play on the ’you are in a financial mess’ card with Everton, hoping he could be cheaper.Patrik Schick – Was a realistic possibility, but his current club Bayer Leverkusen was quicker and extended his contract.Jesse Lingard – Was actually very close to signing, especially since he is a free agent, but his wage demands have persuaded Newcastle to move on.Victor Osimhen – The Nigerian fits the bill, but his price is too high at the moment, more than half of Newcastle’s budget.Hugo Ekitike – This one is about to happen. He rejected the move in January, but now it looks like he will sign for Newcastle in the next 14 days. The fee is agreed at around 25 million (but only 12 upfront). He is the future star and fits the budget. Amando Broja – Fits the bill, as he is young and Premier League proved. But the fact that he was better than Lukaku means Tuchel will want to give him a chance in pre-season.22.00: (1.60) Egypt (3.60) Guinea (7.75)MidfieldersIsmaila Sarr – Watford and Senegal winger would be a good fit for the Magpies, as he will not cost that much, due to Watford’s relegation and they do need a winger.Christopher Nkunku – Whoever wrote about Nkunku and Newcastle was really desperate.Axel Witsel – A free agent from Borussia Dortmund is looking for a club, but Newcastle probably don’t want to hear the wage demands of a 33-year-old who is not Modrić.Yannick Carrasco – Atletico’s winger can play as a full-back as well, and that’s why he is interested to other clubs as well, but the price is considerable high (at the moment).Jordan Veretout – Former Aston Villa midfielder is available and Roma would sell him for a nice fee. Napoli and Marseille are also interested.Jack Harrison – Leeds winger is underrated, but since his club was not relegated, the price might be just too high.Moussa Diaby – Winger for Bayer Leverkusen and France is only 22 and he could be ’that’ player, for which Newcastle would pay half of their summer budget. But the price would need to be less than currently 50 million.’Visit Rwanda’ but also ‘Visit Botswana’?DefendersSven Botman – Another of those players for whom Newcastle would pay more than 40 million. That’s why he still hasn’t signed for AC Milan. Lille wants a king ransom.Stefan de Vrij – Would be a great fit for Newcastle, but he is too expensive and bigger clubs are already interested and could offer him bigger wages and the Champions League.Evan N’Dicka – Centre-back at Eintracht Frankfurt and capped for France national youth sides. He is a realistic target.Renan Lodi – Left-back at Atletico Madrid was also a realistic target until it emerged that a deal with Matt Taggart is imminent.James Tarkowski – He would be already a Newcastle player in January if they didn’t buy Chris Wood. Now he is a free agent, but Newcastle feels they can buy a better player.Maxence Lacroix – Aged 22, plays as a centre-back for Wolfsburg. West Ham and Aston Villa are rumoured to be interested.Tyrone Mings – Aston Villa’s 29-year-old defender and a captain. It’s not quite sure why would Steven Gerrard sell his captain.
