Newcastle United’s Summer Rebuild: How Eddie Howe Should Plan to Strengthen After Beating the PSR Trap | OneFootball

PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) issues have meant Newcastle United haven’t signed a starting player in the last three transfer windows. Last summer’s reluctant sales of Elliott Anderson and Yankuba Minteh, plus the January departures of Miguel Almirón and Lloyd Kelly, left Newcastle finishing the 2024/25 campaign with a threadbare squad.

The positive news is that Eddie Howe once again worked miracles this season, not only ending the Magpie’s 70-year wait for a domestic major trophy but also securing Champions League qualification. In addition to the huge revenue boost the Champions League brings, the club’s significant first year’s transfer expenditure under the new ownership has now dropped out of the three-year PSR cycle. This means Howe will likely have a substantial transfer budget available to build a squad capable of competing across four competitions next season.

So, what areas of the team does Howe need to strengthen this summer, and who are the potential targets?

Newcastle United’s Need for a Right Winger

Following the sale of Miguel Almirón in January, the only natural right winger in the squad is Jacob Murphy. Although Murphy had an outstanding season statistically, providing 20 goal contributions (eight goals and twelve assists) in the Premier League, his overall performances have often been inconsistent. At 30, it feels like Murphy has reached his ceiling, and neither Harvey Barnes nor Anthony Gordon has looked comfortable deputising on the right.

Bryan Mbeumo

After an outstanding season, racking up 20 Premier League goals, the time seems right for Mbeumo to move on from Brentford. With a year left on his current deal, he is reportedly available for around £50 million and appears to be a no-brainer to solve Newcastle’s right-sided problem.

However, now it seems that this deal is off the table, as, according to reliable reports, the Cameroonian has chosen to join Manchester United.

Antoine Semenyo

Similar to Mbeumo in many ways, Semenyo is coming off his best Premier League season. He is two-footed, allowing him to operate on both wings and provide cover up front. With Bournemouth already selling Huijsen and with Kerkez reportedly on his way to Liverpool, the Cherries may be reluctant to part with another star player.

Tyler Dibling

Despite Southampton’s dismal season, Dibling has shown enormous potential. At just 19, he is still raw, but as we’ve seen with Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, Howe is adept at developing young talent into top Premier League players. One potential stumbling block is Southampton’s reported £55 million asking price.

Finding a Long Term Centre Back Solution

From last summer’s failed pursuits of Marc Guéhi and Tosin Adarabioyo, it was clear that a right-sided centre-back was a top priority for Howe. Again in January, then-sporting director Paul Mitchell tried to line up a move for Abdukodir Khusanov before Manchester City swooped in. These failed moves left Fabian Schär as the only natural right-sided centre-back. Now 33, a more athletic upgrade is urgently needed for Howe to fully implement his high-intensity, attacking philosophy.

Marc Guéhi

Newcastle were desperate to sign Guéhi last summer, tabling multiple bids up to £65 million. With only a year remaining on his contract, his valuation is likely to be lower, and Howe will undoubtedly push to sign the Palace captain.

Illya Zabarnyi

A near ever-present for Bournemouth over the past two seasons, Zabarnyi’s performances have seen him linked to top European clubs. With his centre-back partner Huijsen leaving, the south coast club will be desperate to keep hold of him, so a sizeable fee would be required.

Kim Min-jae

Likely to be made available following Bayern’s signing of Jonathan Tah. While he’s struggled at times in Germany, Min-jae was superb during his time at Napoli and is a solid all-round defender with experience at the highest level.

Finding a Steady Striker Who Is Ready to Start

Callum Wilson’s emotional lap of honour at the final game of the season suggests he’ll leave when his contract expires next month. That leaves only Alexander Isak, who’s struggled recently with a groin issue, and the unproven Will Osula. Unless Howe shifts away from his usual system with a lone striker, it may be difficult to attract a high-quality replacement with Isak guaranteed to be first choice.

João Pedro

Able to play across the front line, Pedro could be a smart addition. A deal was agreed back in 2022 before a Callum Wilson injury led the club to pivot toward signing Alexander Isak. A concern remains over Pedro’s temperament, however. Towards the backend of last season, he received a straight red for violent conduct and was involved in a training ground bust-up with teammate Paul van Hecke.

Rodrigo Muniz

After sharing attacking duties with Raúl Jiménez at Fulham over the past 2 seasons, Muniz has emerged as a proven Premier League striker capable of leading the line. The 24-year-old has just 1 year left on his contract, so he could represent a cost-effective option.

Jonathan David

A free agent soon, 25-year-old David has an excellent Ligue 1 scoring record and is versatile enough to play in multiple attacking roles. The Canadian’s wage demands could prove to be a stumbling block.

Among the three forwards analysed, Rodrigo Muniz stands out as the most natural penalty-box poacher, with a non-penalty goals percentile of 93.3 and an xG figure in the 91.8th percentile. His aerial duel success rate (82%) is also the highest, which could be attractive for Newcastle given their tendency to swing crosses into the box, particularly from Trippier. However, his overall involvement in build-up play is low, with very few passes received and minimal creative output, which might limit his fit in Eddie Howe’s system that values link-up play.

João Pedro, on the other hand, is far more involved across the pitch. He ranks extremely high in passes received, xA, and attacking actions, suggesting a profile closer to Isak, mobile, creative, and technically secure. Jonathan David offers the most balanced profile, blending strong xG numbers with good creative metrics and a high work rate, though his aerial numbers are poor. If Newcastle are looking for a stylistic mirror to Isak who can rotate in seamlessly, Pedro might be the best fit. But if they want a classic number nine to offer a plan B, particularly against low blocks, Muniz could be the more useful option.

A More Well Rounded Goalkeeper

Nick Pope had another solid season but is very limited with the ball at his feet. A more well-rounded goalkeeper would improve Newcastle’s ability to build from the back. Ideally, Pope would remain as a backup while two of Dubravka, Vlachodimos, Ruddy, and Gillespie depart.

James Trafford

Widely reported to have agreed terms with Newcastle last summer, the deal collapsed due to PSR issues. Trafford’s excellent season in the Championship and Burnley’s promotion may complicate matters, but he remains a top target.

Joan García

Linked with Barcelona but reportedly has a £21 million release clause. With Barca’s financial troubles, Newcastle could steal a march on the highly rated 24-year-old Spaniard.

Although it does look extremely likely a deal with the Catalan club will go through.

Gregor Kobel

The Dortmund keeper had a fantastic Champions League campaign. At 27, he’s entering his prime, but Dortmund would likely demand a fee in excess of £50 million.

Identifying a Midfield Option to Challenge the First Choice Trio

Despite boasting arguably the strongest midfield trio in the Premier League, Newcastle’s depth is lacking in this area. The drop-off from Joelinton, Tonali, and Guimarães to Willock and Longstaff, in particular, is steep. Strengthening here is a must.

Amadou Onana

With Aston Villa narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification and reportedly facing PSR pressure, Onana could become available. He was previously linked with Newcastle and has vast potential at just 23.

Kobbie Mainoo

United’s PSR challenges and the need for a rebuild could prompt the sale of academy graduate Mainoo. He’s a high-potential talent who can operate in both deeper and more advanced midfield roles.

There have been reports that Manchester United would be open to a sale, but this might be an unlikely move for both parties.

Morgan Gibbs-White

A quintessential Howe signing. At 25, English, press-resistant, versatile, and with Premier League experience, Gibbs-White could thrive under Howe. With Forest missing out on Champions League football, a bid of over £70 million might test their resolve, though competition for his signature would be fierce.

Manchester City were interested in the Englishman, but it appears they have now looked elsewhere, setting eyes on Rayan Cherki instead. This could open the door for Gibbs-White to make a move up north.

With Champions League football secured and PSR troubles in the past, Newcastle United are finally in a position to cement themselves as one of the Premier League’s elite clubs. After years of smart recruitment, Eddie Howe can now shape a deeper, more balanced squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts.