After missing out on Europe, Newcastle United are under pressure to bounce back next season.
The 2023/24 campaign was a gruelling one for Newcastle United, yet it almost had a happy ending. The Magpies were 90 minutes away from qualifying for the Conference League, yet could not rely on the best team in the world to do them a favour.
Manchester City lost the FA Cup final to Manchester United, meaning there is no route into Europe for Eddie Howe’s side. That is a major blow after finishing the Premier League season in seventh.
Of course, it is not Man City’s fault. Newcastle only have themselves to blame. There were far too many instances where they threw away points, including in two of their final three games.
Newcastle cost themselves, and are now paying the price. While the injuries and the Sandro Tonali ban were a major issue, the Magpies had the opportunities to qualify for Europe and blew it.
Now they must bounce back next year, and to do so they must improve their squad. But that might suddenly be a bit more challenging.
What Newcastle know about trying to sign top level players this summer
That is according to iNews, who have detailed a couple of things that Newcastle United are now aware that they are going to have to do when trying to sign top level players this summer.
They have been told by a Newcastle source that they are going to have to pay players more than the going rate as well as give them a clear path towards playing Champions League football in a Toon shirt.
The latter should be easy enough. All they need to do is point towards the 2022/23 season. Newcastle finished in the top four then, and they can absolutely do it again – especially with a stronger squad.
Paying more money in wages could be the sticking point, especially in an era where PSR is proving to be so problematic.
Newcastle want ‘high impact’ players
iNews have also commented on how many signings Newcastle are looking to make this summer. They report that they want three or four ‘high impact’ players to join their squad.
Whether that includes Lloyd Kelly and Tosin Adarabioyo remains to be seen. It was reported last week that the Magpies are confident about signing both players on free transfers, although there is now the added complication of Tosin receiving an offer from Chelsea.
The most important ‘high impact’ signing that Newcastle need is a right winger. That is where the majority of the budget should go, with Jarrod Bowen recently linked with a move to St James’ Park.
He certainly would be a top level signing to join Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon in attack, but that deal will surely be too expensive.
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