- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Newcastle United are set to be in for a busy summer transfer window as they prepare for life in the Europa Conference League.
Under Eddie Howe, Newcastle United had a host of injury problems to contend with but a final day victory over Brentford meant that the Geordie side would battle it out in Europe for the second consecutive season, as long as Manchester United don’t lift the FA Cup on Saturday.
Preparations are seemingly well under way for next season with HITC understanding that Newcastle retain an interest in Nottingham Forest forward Morgan Gibbs-White, who has had a good season at the City Ground.
Newcastle are already well down the road with their summer planning, despite their current sporting director, Dan Ashworth, on gardening leave.
Newcastle pressing ahead without sporting director
Gibbs-White isn’t the only player that is attracting attention with HITC reporting earlier this week that the club are confident they will secure the free double swoop of Tosin Adarabioyo and Lloyd Kelly.
Despite the Geordie side not yet having a director of football in place, after they failed in their attempts to land Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman, the club are planning ahead with chief scout Steve Nickson already in place to secure summer targets.
The club are closing in on a new goalkeeper with Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale in their sights along with Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili.
A new striker has also been sought after with the injury problems to Callum Wilson with Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, understood to be of interest. They also want a new right-sided forward, which is where Gibbs-White comes in.
Right-sided attacker targeted
HITC understands that Gibbs-White is someone that Howe, in particular, likes a lot and the versatility of the former Wolves star is said to appeal to the Newcastle boss.
Gibbs-White isn’t the only wide player who the Geordie side are keen on with Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise, Wolves winger Pedro Neto and West Ham star Jarrod Bowen, also understood to be of interest.
Despite this, Gibbs-White seems to be the player most desired by Howe but HITC has been told that Forest will do all they can to keep hold of the Englishman but the 24-year-old is understood to be keen on making the move up North, despite Forest’s reticence to sell.
The Englishman has made a big impact at the City Ground with Glenn Murray describing the forward as ‘wonderful, when he spoke to the BBC.
We also understand that Newcastle are not the only admirers of Gibbs-White. Tottenham and Aston Villa are also keeping close tabs on his progress.
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