Newcastle United transfer targets that fit the Eddie Howe model – Forget the usual suspects | OneFootball

St James’ Park is still buzzing from Newcastle United’s recent strides, cementing themselves as a proper Premier League force.

However, gaffer Eddie Howe knows that standing still is going backwards in this league.

With European nights returning, hopefully Champions League ones, the NUFC recruitment team are working overtime to add Newcastle United transfer targets to the squad in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Shoring up a centre of defence that has been rocked by serious injury issues for Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, Eddie Howe currently waiting to see if they will play again this season.

If forced to rely only on Fabian Schar and the towering Dan Burn to hold the fort all season once again, especially with extra European fixtures, feels like sailing dangerously close to the wind. Another top class central defender is less of a luxury, more of a necessity.

Whilst the right-back slot arguably needs to be looked at as well.

Kieran Trippier remains Mr. Reliable and leads by example, but at 34, he can’t go on forever. Tino Livramento (who can play on both sides of the pitch) and Lewis Hall are bursting with potential, but bringing in another hungry young challenger to learn from Trippier and provide further genuine competition, makes perfect sense for the long haul.

Midfield looks relatively settled – the powerhouse trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton provides grunt and guile, backed by the homegrown talents of Sean Longstaff and Lewis Miley.

Up top, Alexander Isak banging in 20 Premier League goals last season AND this one, proves his class, but with Callum Wilson now 33 and his fitness record patchy at best, Howe wouldn’t say no to more goals bubbling up from elsewhere – specifically, an attacking midfielder who knows where the net is.

So, who’s on the radar?

Forget trawling the usual suspects; here are some Newcastle United transfer targets that haven’t been so widely (and repeatedly) reported:

Defensive steel from Lisbon?

Over in Portugal, Sporting CP boast a pair of centre-backs catching the eye across Europe.

Goncalo Inacio, a classy 23-year-old left-footer, not only marshals the defence, but has chipped in with three league goals so far this term – handy on set-pieces.

Then there’s his partner, Ousmane Diomande. At just 21, the Ivorian is a physical powerhouse whose passing stats (a reported 93% accuracy!) would have Howe purring, fitting perfectly into Newcastle’s build from the back approach, he has scored a couple of league goals so far this season.

Both come with hefty reported release clauses (Inacio €60m (approx £51m), Diomande €80m (approx £69m)), but the Toon hierarchy will fancy their chances of negotiating closer to the €40-€45m (approx £34m-£38m) mark. Landing either would be a real statement.

Dutch dynamite for midfield goals?

Need goals from midfield?

Look no further than Sem Steijn.

The FC Twente man, 23, absolutely running the show in the Eredivisie this season, smashing in an incredible 23 goals so far from attacking midfield to top the scoring charts. That’s precisely the kind of cutting edge Howe wants to add. He has also chipped in with five assists.

Steijn could be a great capture this summer, offering a different threat to the likes of Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy.

Serie A speedster for the right flank?

And for that right-back spot?

Step forward Michael Kayode. Currently on loan at Brentford from Fiorentina, the 20-year-old Italian youth international has already got some Premier League minutes under his belt, alongside Serie A experience.

Injury has impacted his loan spell at Brentford but he has great potential as an energetic, forward thinking full-back, who fits the Howe mould. He’s got the raw tools and could develop into a top player.

The strategy and the spend

These Newcastle United transfer targets targets fit the NUFC model.

Young players (all 23 or under) with high ceilings and potential to seriously increase their value.

They possess the tactical awareness – Inacio and Diomande comfortable on the ball, Steijn a goal threat, Kayode offering dynamism, to slot into Howe’s high intensity 4-3-3.

The scouting missions will intensify and negotiations won’t be straightforward, especially with release clauses and rival interest, but make no mistake, Newcastle United are targeting specific areas with quality additions.

If Paul Mitchell (pictured above) and the recruitment team can pull off deals for players of this calibre, it will be yet more evidence of the ambition burning bright on Tyneside. The transfer hunt is well and truly on.