Five U21 stars Newcastle United could target this summer including January target Hugo Ekitike

With Premier League safety within touching distance of being secured, Newcastle United can start planning for a busy summer transfer window. The Magpies brought in five players in January to aid their push for survival, which as it stands appears to have paid dividends, as they currently sit nine points clear of the bottom three.

And the new ownership almost certainly aren’t likely to rest on their laurels in their first summer window, as they look to build a team capable of pushing into the top half. Given where Newcastle currently are as a club, it is likely that they will target some of Europe’s top young players, rather than established big names to ensure a team hungry for success is built.

In the latest CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post, they have released a list of the top 100 performing U21 players from 32 European leagues. So with that in mind, here is a look at five potential youngsters they could target based on that.

Croatian centre back Josko Gvardiol is at number four on the list, making him the best performing young defender in Europe. Gvardiol has started 25 on Leipzig’s 27 Bundesliga matches this season and can play at left back, as well as in central defence.

Leeds United came close to signing him prior to his move to the Bundesliga and he has shown exactly why they were prepared to fork out almost £20 million on teenager. There is no doubt his value will have soared while at Leipzig, but with the funds behind Newcastle, nothing can be ruled out.

Another excellent performing young centre back, who may not cost as much as the aforementioned Gvardiol, is Chelsea’s Levi Colwill. The 19-year-old has impressed hugely on loan at Huddersfield Town in his debut season in senior football and has helped them