Transfer Duel: Newcastle Eyes Maddison in Bid to Unlock Guimaraes with Sandro Tonali's Arrival

Newcastle, after a two-decade hiatus, will make a comeback in the Champions League next season, positioning themselves amongst Europe's top teams. Under the leadership of Eddie Howe, his team's remarkable ascent in the Premier League standings and their notable journey to the Carabao Cup final have reinvigorated the city. Now, the focus shifts towards excelling on various fronts and overcoming new challenges.

Despite securing a respectable fourth position, Newcastle's campaign faced a potential setback in February, raising concerns about the future trajectory of the club. With this in mind, it is crucial to evaluate the current developments at St James' Park in order to ascertain how the club's summer plans are being shaped to maintain their positive momentum. Our dedicated reporter, Pete Graves, brings you the latest updates on the happenings at Newcastle United.

Eddie Howe and the Newcastle team have consistently discussed their approach to squad strengthening. In the past, they embarked on phase one, which involved acquiring players like Matt Targett, Dan Burn, and Kieran Trippier. This phase was focused on ensuring the team's survival in the Premier League that season.

They were positioned second from the bottom in the league standings, necessitating the recruitment of players who possessed both a strong determination and extensive experience in the Premier League. This strategic move aimed to steer Newcastle away from the relegation zone, and indeed, it proved successful as they ultimately secured an 11th place finish.

In the subsequent phase, Newcastle's transfer strategy shifted towards securing players with higher price tags, such as Alexander Isak, who boasted a notable reputation in European football. However, these acquisitions were still primarily chosen based on their potential for growth. An example of this approach is the signing of Anthony Gordon from Everton for a significant sum of money. Despite their youth, these players have the potential to develop into top-tier talents.

They are currently in a transitional phase, possibly phase three, and it is expected that they will continue to bring in players of a similar caliber, but potentially with a slightly higher profile. However, it is unlikely that they have reached the stage, which many had anticipated, where they will be targeting players of the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Both Howe and Dan Ashworth, along with chief scout Steve Nickson, are focused on gradually building a solid foundation. Their progress has been impressive, reaching a cup final and finishing fourth last season, surprising even the highest-ranking individuals within the club.

Now, the focus is on maintaining stability and building upon their previous efforts. There won't be any sudden splurges on extravagant transfer fees or exorbitant salaries that could disrupt the harmony. They will maintain the steady progress in their development, just as we have witnessed thus far.

As for James Maddison, what are the current updates regarding his potential move from Leicester?

There is still a possibility of James Maddison joining Newcastle. The notion that signing Sandro Tonali would put an end to the pursuit of Maddison seems unlikely. At the beginning of the transfer window, Newcastle expressed their desire to acquire both a defensive midfielder and an attacking midfielder.

It is clear that the club is still interested in adding an attacking midfielder, and Maddison is one of the options being considered. However, Newcastle is being pragmatic about the situation. They have set a specific fee in mind and are unwilling to exceed it. Ideally, Leicester would benefit from a bidding war between two clubs.

Tottenham and Newcastle may have hoped for a thrilling competition, but it seems that Newcastle is not keen on getting involved in such a battle. They have a specific figure in mind for the transfer fee, likely around £40m, and are unlikely to exceed that amount.

Leicester, on the other hand, has made it clear that they expect a fee in excess of £50m. If Tottenham is willing to meet that asking price, they might have a chance of securing the player. Additionally, wages could also be a factor to consider. Newcastle follows a strict policy when it comes to salaries, with the highest earners currently making around £120,000 per week.

From a financial standpoint, Newcastle might consider exploring other options due to the potential high cost of securing Maddison as the highest-paid player at the club.

They have extensively scouted numerous players in the attacking midfield position, searching for an alternative to Maddison. Among the potential options, RB Leipzig's Dominik Szoboszlai stands out as a player they admire. He has been closely observed by scouts, and although he possesses a £60m buy-out clause, his wages would be considerably lower than Maddison's.

The arrival of Tonali could potentially have an impact on Bruno Guimaraes.

Image:

Club officials are currently in Milan engaged in negotiations regarding Sandro Tonali. Tonali possesses the ideal qualities required for a defensive role, while also displaying great dynamism. He is one of those midfielders who can effectively fulfill defensive duties, yet also excel in more advanced positions. Recently, I observed his performance for the Italy U21s on Thursday night and was impressed by his ability to push forward and contribute to the offensive plays.

They want someone who can contribute offensively, allowing Bruno Guimaraes to focus more on his defensive duties. This would enhance the team's overall performance and make them a stronger unit.

If Tonali joins the club, it will provide Bruno with greater freedom to venture forward. Given their striking similarities, it is possible that when one player advances, the other will hold back. This prospect is truly thrilling. Additionally, which other positions will Newcastle seek to strengthen in preparation for the Champions League campaign?

They are expected to bolster their team in other positions as well, primarily focusing on younger players. Their targets include a right-back and a left-back to provide competition for Trippier and Burn, as well as a centre-back to rival Fabian Schar. Additionally, they are in search of a striker. It is anticipated that all four positions will be filled by young players who are capable of making a significant impact within the squad.

Expanding the squad will be crucial for them.

Eddie Howe has successfully maximized the potential of his current squad, leaving him with few players he would be willing to sell for a substantial sum of money. One such player who could fetch a transfer fee is Allan Saint-Maximin, along with Targett.

With the recent contract extensions given to players like Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett, and Mark Gillespie, it is evident that the manager truly believes in the team and will only let go of a player if they do not fit in, both on and off the field.

However, Saint-Maximin poses a difficult situation as there might be a temptation to sell him if a good offer comes along. Currently, the club has an abundance of wingers, and under previous managers, he had more playing time. Despite being the club's standout player for a long time, Howe has implemented a different system since his arrival.

Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 14 and closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?

Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on We' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on We News.