Steve Nickson has already been told to look at players for every position ahead of the summer window, according to The Athletic.
What’s the latest Newcastle United news?
While Dan Ashworth is believed to have been lined up in a technical advisor role, the FA’s former director of elite development isn’t thought to be set to focus on player recruitment.
Indeed, the report suggests that his role will focus on ensuring every department of the club works in tandem with one another, with Nickson likely to continue to help oversee player recruitment. The chief scout’s work was said to be “pivotal” over the course of the January window and, on that evidence, it’s exciting to imagine what kind of players he can bring in over a longer trading period such as the summer.
Where do Newcastle need to strengthen most?
Clearly, it’s tempting to assume the club’s PIF owners will sanction all manner of signings should Eddie Howe manage to keep the team in the division.
Given their resource, as well as the fact we’ve already seen headline arrivals in the shape of Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes, the summer should presumably offer a lot more in terms of exciting signings and the idea of strengthening in all positions isn’t as ridiculous as it once sounded.
Still, there are some areas that need reinforcement more than others. As impressive as Dan Burn has been, he is the only central defender Newcastle have signed since 2018 and the fact the club chased both Sven Botman and Diego Carlos in January would suggest they are keen on another option there.
Elsewhere, Chris Wood hasn’t hit the ground running and Callum Wilson remains injury prone. Having missed out on Jesse Lingard, adding another attacking player capable of scoring goals would seem wise.
What has been said about Newcastle’s summer plans?
Speaking on the Touchline Talk Podcast in February, journalist Dean Jones shared some promising insight.
“I think, pretty much, we’ve seen the B-list of targets in January,” he said.
“Now lets see what the A-list has got because, from what I’m told, it’s going to be pretty special, some of the names that we’re going to be linking Newcastle with in the summer if they stay up.”
