Newcastle United are interested in adding Chelsea striker Armando Broja to the signing of Sven Botman, so what could Eddie Howe’s XI look like on the opening day of the season?
The Toon have moved to improve Howe’s St James’ Park ranks this summer with Botman headlining three done deals already. United opened the market by retaining Matt Targett after the left-back’s loan from Aston Villa, while buying goalkeeper Nick Pope off Burnley.
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But Howe remains in the mix for additional reinforcements, with the Magpies boss seeking further offensive, defensive and midfield options. He could see in the new Premier League campaign at home to Nottingham Forest on August 6 with six new arrivals starting, as well.
Newcastle are interested in Broja of Chelsea as Howe eyes further transfers
The Northern Echo report Newcastle have informed Chelsea of their interest in Broja after the striker’s successful loan to Southampton. He offered nine goals and an assist across 38 appearances, including scoring six in 32 top-flight games during his first full league season.
Broja had previously only played four minutes of Premier League football during his debut under Frank Lampard in March 2020. Now, the Albanian’s efforts on the south coast have him on shortlists around the country with it unlikely he will play regularly in west London.
Chelsea will listen to loan and permanent offers for Broja amid the vast interest from clubs like Newcastle. West Ham United have also made a formal approach to discuss his transfer with David Moyes leading their pursuit, but Howe is prepared to go toe-to-toe for a switch.
Lampard could also prove a threat, as the Daily Mail report Everton are interested in Broja. The Toffees have likewise made a formal approach to debate the £30m forward’s situation to replace Richarlison. But Thomas Tuchel intends to wait until after Chelsea’s pre-season.
Howe’s interest winning out can see Broja line up among six signings for Newcastle on the opening day. So, with that in mind, what can their XI look like against Nottingham Forest?
Nick Pope (GK): Newcastle have signed new number one from Burnley
Newcastle paid Burnley £12m to sign Pope with the aim of the England ace battling Martin Dubravka to be number one. So, an impressive pre-season could see the eight-cap ‘keeper take over on the opening day after offering nine clean sheets in 36 league games last term.
Kieran Trippier (RB): Howe signed first-choice right-back in January sales
Howe signed his first-choice right-back in the January sales with Newcastle paying Atletico Madrid £12m for Kieran Trippier. The England international instantly cemented his right to the role and captained United against Aston Villa before missing 12 games through injury.
Sven Botman (CB): Lille defender became Toon’s third summer signing so far
Botman is Newcastle’s third signing of the summer so far after the defender sealed a £35m move from LOSC Lille. The Dutchman also signed a five-year contract at St James’, and will now set the foundations of the Toon’s defence for many seasons to come at 22-years-old.
Llyod Kelly (CB): Newcastle are interested in Bournemouth star
Howe remains interested in improving his defence with talkSPORT reporting the Newcastle boss is ready to test Bournemouth’s resolve for Llyod Kelly. The Cherries also know their captain admires Howe, who took him to Dean Court from Bristol City for £13m in 2019.
Matt Targett (LB): Defender to push on after permanent move from Aston Villa
Targett has penned a four-year contract at St James’ after Newcastle turned his loan from Aston Villa into a permanent £12m transfer. The left-back offered Howe an upgrade on his alternatives in the position and played a key role in the Magpies pulling clear of relegation.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (CM): Newcastle are interested in Lazio star
Newcastle have made Lazio an offer to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with Howe interested in the midfielder, per Il Messaggero. The Toon bid €50-55m (£43-47m) for the 27-year-old, which fell short of the Serie A side’s valuation after his eight goals and 10 assists last term.
Bruno Guimaraes (CM): Super January signing was a class above after joining
Bruno Guimaraes proved to be a super signing for Newcastle in January after leaving Lyon for £35m plus £6.5m in add-ons. Howe bided his time to introduce the Brazilian, who came on strongly and was a class above on Tyneside with five goals in 17 Premier League games.
Joelinton (CM): Howe transformed Brazilian into Player of the Year midfielder
Howe transformed Joelinton’s Newcastle career after moving the £40m striker signing into midfield last season. The Brazilian never lived up to his price tag in attack, but proved to be an all-action box-to-box ace in the engine room to be named the Toon’s Player of the Year.
Moussa Diaby (RW): Newcastle are very interested in Bayer Leverkusen star
Newcastle are very interested in making Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby the headline act of their summer spending, per 90min. Howe is prepared to smash the Toon’s record as the winger is his top target to strengthen on the flanks in a move worth in excess of £40m.
Armando Broja (ST): Chelsea striker earnt Newcastle interest at Southampton
Broja will likely seek assurances over his game time next season when the striker considers interest from Newcastle, West Ham and Everton to leave Chelsea. Howe guaranteeing the 20-year-old a starting role could swing the tide in the Toon’s favour for an exciting addition.
Allan Saint-Maximin (LW): Howe to convince wing wizard to stay at St James’
Howe could have his work cut out to keep Allan Saint-Maximin at St James’ this year. The Daily Mail claim his head has been turned by interest from elsewhere after teams sounded out his availability, with Newcastle open to cashing in for £40m to boost the club’s budget.
The greater salaries Saint-Maximin could secure away from Tyneside have caught his eye. But Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have baulked at the Magpies’ valuation of their wing wizard. So, Howe may hope to convince him to stay put, having been the Toon’s talisman.
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