James Maddison and Kieran Tierney are near the top of Newcastle‘s list of targets to reinforce their squad ahead of the Champions League as they target “real quality that can make a difference”.
The club’s key decision makers, including Eddie Howe and director of football Dan Ashworth, are set to meet before the end of the week to discuss recruitment and Newcastle’s potential budget although sources are stressing the intention to continue with the transfer policy that has seen them sign players who – in the words of a senior St James’ Park source – can “go on the journey” with them.
The club’s transfer budget will be significantly improved by Champions League qualification and there is an acknowledgement the squad will need an upgrade, with a right-back, left-back, two midfielders and a winger being targeted.
Maddison is a long-term target and i revealed in March that the midfielder had no intention of re-signing for Leicester and his team had started to methodically assess his options to decide which club would best suit his style.
Leicester intend to cash in on the England international this summer and he is understood to be interested in a move to Newcastle, having discussed the club with Kieran Trippier on international duty.
The Magpies had assembled three transfer lists for each scenario facing the club – one without Europe, one with second tier European football and a third with Champions League football. Arsenal defender Tierney is understood to feature highly on that list, which is the one Newcastle are now able to use.
But voices behind-the-scenes continue to counsel that Financial Fair Play will hinder them, even if new sponsorship deals are expected soon.
“The team have exceeded expectations and got there quicker than we imagined and now we need revenue to follow it but that will take time,” a senior source told i.
It emerged on Wednesday that Newcastle are in advanced talks over a £25million-a-year sponsorship deal with Saudi sports events firm Sela, which is part of the Public Investment Fund’s portfolio.
PIF is 80 per cent owners of Newcastle so any deal would be a major test of the Premier League’s new rules on third party transactions, which were introduced after the takeover to ensure any new commercial deals represent fair market value.
Sela is not the only firm in talks, with i having been told that other companies in the Middle East have pitched for the front of shirt deal – which has become available after the club negotiated an early release from gambling firm FUN88.
It’s understood that Newcastle are confident of their increased market value and have been tracking the amount of coverage the club has received in the last year. Their case will be supported by the number of the times the team has been televised this season and their steep improvement on the field, which has seen them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
Improved commercial deals are key to the club’s business plan and sources have stressed to i that the PIF’s “methodical, thorough approach” to football operations will continue.
“We are competing with Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Spurs now but they have a huge commercial advantage which will need to narrow,” they said.
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