Newcastle United will step up planning for what insiders admit is a “complicated” summer transfer window after moving closer to a resolution on Joelinton‘s contract.
Resolving the Brazil midfielder’s contract situation was critical to informing Newcastle’s blueprint for the close season when they hope to add a versatile forward, midfielder and – given the serious injuries that have been suffered by Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles – a centre-back.
But the club are walking a profit and sustainability rules (PSR) tightrope which is likely to see them sanction sales before June 30, which is being viewed in the game as a second transfer deadline given it is the end of the accounting period after which financial fair play calculations have to be made.
One of the most likely candidates to depart is Miguel Almiron, who had interest from Saudi Arabia but opted not to leave in January. It is understood that exit route could open up again in the summer.
Newcastle are at least likely to go into the trading period boosted by Joelinton committing to another four years at the club – a huge boost for Eddie Howe given how sorely he has been missed since suffering an injury in January.
Privately Newcastle feel that his injury – which has robbed the midfield of his dynamism and authority – has been one of the most significant features in their inconsistency.
With so much of Newcastle’s season and short-term thinking impacted by injuries – there will be a comprehensive review of the medical department and the injury situation in the summer – they have been forced into making a centre-back one of their top priorities in the next transfer window.
i understands that Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly and Fulham’s in-demand Tosin Adarabioyo are both on Newcastle’s radar. Both will be free agents in the summer which, although it helps from a PSR perspective, may also complicate matters as Newcastle still operate with a fairly robust wage structure.
There is competition for both but hopes that Howe’s relationship with Kelly may help swing any transfer chase in their favour.
It’s also understood that Newcastle have scouted PSV Eindhoven’s Netherlands international midfielder Joey Veerman, who can play as a creative number six.
Whether that is part of a contingency plan for possible midfield exits – Bruno Guimaraes’ release clause makes Newcastle vulnerable to big bids – is unclear.
So far recruitment plans have been fairly loose given uncertainty over Joelinton and injury issues, but the club want to be proactive in the summer to support Howe, who has come under external pressure this season but none internally.
Instead, there is admiration for the work he has done in difficult circumstances and with Newcastle unable to recruit in January.
i has also been told that Dan Ashworth being on gardening leave should not impact the club’s ability to recruit. Howe could be given more influence over recruitment if Newcastle haven’t appointed a replacement Director of football, although that process remains ongoing in the background.
PSR remains a live issue for the Magpies in the summer and Howe has already cast doubt on the club’s ability to overhaul their squad without departures. Becoming smarter sellers will undoubtedly be part of the remit of whoever takes over from Ashworth, who will join Manchester United when a deal on compensation is finally struck.
There is interest in Guimaraes from Paris Saint-Germain and he has admirers at Manchester City. But retaining his close friend Joelinton could act as part of a sales pitch to him to stay as Newcastle reaffirm their ambition to bridge the gap to the Premier League’s established elite.
The Magpies have an important home game with Spurs on Saturday and after a positive Easter programme saw them collect seven points, they could move into sixth with a win. Given how difficult the campaign has been at times, that would be an impressive feat.
