Transfer season will soon be upon Newcastle United.
While Eddie Howe’s side could yet finish this season strongly and qualify for the Europa Conference League at the very least, it’s difficult to get away from the links touting Newcastle with a move for various players.
Such has been the struggle at times during this campaign, a big rebuild has been predicted in some circles.
Quite whether or not FFP restrictions make that possible remains to be seen of course but it would not be a surprise to see Newcastle get busy over the course of the summer.
A succession of injuries and a number of players not living up to their standards from last season have shown the limitations of Howe’s squad.
Take in goal, for example.
Howe wassaid to have been crestfallen about Nick Pope’s injury back in December and its easy to see why.
Martin Dubravka may have done well at times but there remain question marks about him and Newcastle are reportedly on the hunt for a new goalkeeper.
One of the names touted as a target is a certain Aaron Ramsdale.
The Arsenal stopper worked with Howe at Bournemouth and has seen his game time limited in north London following the signing of David Raya.
Still, a deal may not be easy to pull off.
Aaron Ramsdale could stay at Arsenal despite Newcastle transfer links
Indeed, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has suggested the 25-year-old could stay at the Emirates Stadium even despite the lack of game time.
“There is a big reality that Aaron is here because he is our player and has a contract,” he told the Evening Standard when asked of the England international’s future.
Aaron Ramsdale’s concentration might be an issue for Newcastle
With Pope so crucial to the way Newcastle play and Howe’s defined No.1, quite why he’d even want to leave the Gunners for a similar back-up role on Tyneside is not fully clear.
Furthermore, there are reasonably concerning elements to his game.
Ramsdale has, by and large, done well for Arsenal since a £30m move from Sheffield United in 2021.
Last year, however, he even admitted that he struggled to concentrate on a game for a full 90 minutes.
Paying big money for that kind of player does not seem particularly wise during a period in which Newcastle have to make the most of their investments given FFP worries.
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