After a turbulent 2014/15 campaign and a so far quiet off season in the transfer market, the signing of Dutch international playmaker Georginio Wijnaldum from PSV Eindhoven for £14.7million was welcome news for Newcastle fans who have been crying out for a player of his quality. Whilst the signing of Wijnaldum is a step in the right direction, he is one of many signings needed by Newcastle to ensure a repeat of last season does not occur, when they had to wait until the last day to confirm their safety. Outside90 looks at five players Newcastle can sign which could see them have a successful season
Aleksandr Mitrovic
At the time of writing, Newcastle are very close to landing the 20 year old Serbian striker who netted an impressive 20 goals in 37 appearances for Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League last season. Whilst the step up from the Belgian League to the Premier League would be a challenging one, his goal scoring record suggests that he would have a more postive impact at St James Park than Emmanuel Riviere who only managed a solitary strike in 23 matches last season. A fee of £15million has been agreed between the two clubs with the only stumbling block being the player’s father (his agent) who is rumoured to be delaying the deal as he is holding out for an offer from AS Roma or FC Porto. Financially, there is nothing else Newcastle can do to temp Mitrovic to move to Tyneside. It appears Newcastle’s only hope of signing Mitrovic will be if Roma and Porto look elsewhere for a striker
Joel Matip
Last season Newcastle conceded a whopping 63 goals. Only relegated Queens Park Rangers conceded more. You do not have to dig deep to find where the root of the problem lies. Current captain Fabricio Colocinni is the most important centre back, but he is on the wrong side of 30 and his form and commitment last season was questionable and his lack of pace was evident too often. Geordie born and bred Steven Taylor will always give 100% but his injury history and low all round performance levels when fit mean he can not be relied on if Newcastle want to push on to bigger and better things whilst the less said about Mike Williamson’s season the better. To solve these problems, Newcastle could turn to 23 year old Schalke centre back Joel Matip. The Magpies are reportedly interested in the Cameroonian who could be available for £10million. The tough tackling, no nonsense defender would be a big boost to Newcastle’s limited defensive stocks
Charlie Austin
With a number of Premier League clubs rumoured to be interested in the 26 year old striker, this is very well a transfer saga that could go down to Deadline Day. Being an English player, Austin will not go on the cheap with Queens Park Rangers placing a £15million pricetag on the marksman whose 18 goals last season could not prevent the West London club dropping into the Championship. Nonetheless, Austin would a valuable addition to a club like Newcastle who struggled for goals last season, managing only 40 all season. Considering what he could bring to St James Park, The Geordies would be wise to match Rangers’ valuation of Austin and offering the prestigious number nine shirt could possibly tempt him to join. The prospect of having Austin, Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez as the first choice strikers is an exciting one for Newcastle fans.
Ben Davies
In recent seasons, the Magpies have often been exposed at left back. Massadio Haidara is injured to often and Paul Dummett is more suited to a central role which is why Ben Davies should be among Newcastle’s top transfer targets. The 22 year old Welshman who signed for Tottenham one year ago struggled for first team opportunities last season, as Danny Rose became Mauricio Pochettino’s first choice left back. Steve McClaren could offer Davies an escape route out of White Heart Lane and help him re-capture the form which saw him become and integral part of the Swansea first team between 2012 and 2014. For someone who is not a first team regular, an offer for Davies in the region of £6million could be enough to allow the Welshman move to St James Park.
Florian Thauvin
After Remy Cabella failed to impress last season, Newcastle could go back to Marseille and try their luck again, this time with 22 year old winger Florian Thauvin. The Frenchman has lightning speed and has the potential to trouble any defense with his dangerous dribbling ability. Thauvin had a very impressive 2014/15 Ligue 1 campaign, scoring five goals and assisting on eight occasions in 36 appearances. This would certainly be an improvement on Cabella, who only managed one goal and two assists last season. It is rumoured Newcastle will offer £12million to Marseille for Thauvin, also offering Cabella in exchange.
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