What Newcastle’s starting XI will look like next season if they spend £175m

Newcastle United were also put on the trade market in the summer, but the key point of difference in 2026 is that there is plenty of time left for Eddie Howe and company to put things right.

It’s been tough though, with the Magpies losing Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali to Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively. Some £170m was banked for that sale.

But Howe is determined to lift his mantle, having finished 12th in the Premier League last season.

In total, Newcastle could add another £175m to their summer spending. That may seem like a lot, but change is afoot on Tyneside, and Howe needs to make some big changes to bring his outfit back into the limelight.

Let’s take a look at what might go down in St. James’ Park.

1

GK – James Trafford

If at first you don’t succeed, try again. It’s a game Newcastle’s rivals have welcomed as they pluck their famous players like feathers from the Magpies, but now they can do the same for Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford.

Newcastle’s move to Trafford was hijacked at the eleventh hour last year, but Man City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma soon after, and now every club is looking for a solution.

City want £40m for England international; Toon probably won’t want to pay that much. This one can go either way.

2

RB – Tino Livramento

Poor Tino Livramento, who missed out on England’s World Cup campaign after picking up a calf injury in preparation. It’s been a tough and unstoppable season for the 23-year-old, who is one of the league’s most talented defenders and is also struggling with back-to-back setbacks.

Rumors of a summer sale have evaporated. Arsenal were keen on striking a £70m deal, but it now looks certain that Livramento will be part of Tyneside’s renaissance next season.

3

CB – Karim Coulibaly

Howe’s attention hasn’t been focused on central defense this summer – but that doesn’t mean that won’t change in the coming weeks, with feelings already out on Werder Bremen’s Karim Coulibaly. Reports from earlier this summer suggested that talks have already been put on hold, although Chelsea are also interested.

Coulibaly, only 19, would not be expected to start every week. Fabian Schar and Dan Burn create an experienced and reliable defense system, ready when called upon.

4

CB – Sven Botman

Sven Botman was hailed as “one of the best defenders in the Premier League” by Howe last season, but the truth is that the Dutch centre-half has been at the top of his game for some time.

Injuries have not taken his toll, but the 26-year-old has started each of Newcastle’s last Premier League games of the campaign, and a strong pre-season could do him good.

5

LB – Lewis Hall

Lewis Hall will be frustrated at being overlooked by Thomas Tuchel ahead of England’s World Cup campaign, but nothing has changed on Tyneside: he is one of the best left-backs in the league.

6

CM – Angelo Stiller

With Tonali gone to pastures new, Newcastle need to sign a replacement, and Angelo Stiller, master of flowing passes, could be the man for the job, with the £44m German understood to be top of Newcastle’s shortlist.

7

CM – Bruno Guimaraes

Admittedly, this is taking the glass full of the Bruno Guimaraes saga developing, but you’d like to think that Newcastle will fight tooth and nail to keep their captain at the club.

Arsenal have made a number of unofficial offers through intermediaries, and the 28-year-old has made it clear he wants to explore a new challenge.

Newcastle have nothing on them, they will fight tooth and nail to keep their linchpin at the heart of the project.

8

CM – Johan Manzambi

If Newcastle pull this off, it will be a statement signing of this reform project. Johan Manzambi is one of the most exciting young midfielders in the world, and a fee of £51.5m has been agreed to bring him to Tyneside.

The Swiss rising star is still competing in the pool, so don’t expect an immediate announcement, but if the Toon wins this race, it would be a significant statement of intent.

9

RW – Anthony Elanga

Anthony Elanga didn’t have a bad campaign in the first game against Newcastle after his big-money switch from Nottingham Forest, but the Swedish star was very good at the World Cup, before France sent out Graham Potter.

He is quick and tenacious and difficult to anticipate. When next season starts, Newcastle could be well placed to return to European contention.

10

LW – Bazoumana Toure

When Newcastle’s move for Victor Munoz was hijacked by Liverpool last month, it must have felt like Groundhog Day on Tyneside. But the Toon bounced back with the signing of Bazoumana Toure, a lively, pacy winger from the Bundesliga.

He cost a pretty penny at £43m, but the 20-year-old has what it takes to be a Gordon-esque talisman in Howe’s side.