'Sources predict' - Ryder drops 'exciting' NUFC transfer claim after speaking to club officials

Newcastle United have already made plans for the summer transfer window, according to The Chronicle‘s Lee Ryder. 

Newcastle are working to secure Premier League survival and then proceed with the long-term project of new owners PIF. Their goal is to have eventually have the Magpies competing for the biggest honours in football.

The club spent just under £92m on new arrivals during the January transfer window, comfortably the highest outlay in the English top flight last month.

However, three of their four permanent signings perhaps shouldn’t be characterised as ‘long-term’, with Dan Burn, Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier all 29 or older and only signing two-and-a-half year contracts.

In an article for The Chronicle, Ryder wrote that figures in the Newcastle boardroom have told the publication that “plans are already in place for the summer in terms of signings”.

The journalist then tweeted a link to that article, with the additional comment of: “Newcastle set for great escape and sources predict exciting summer window”.

What kind of players might Newcastle go after?

They are expected to reignite their interest in a number of players who they failed to land in January. For instance, Ryder recently revealed that scouts were still watching Lille’s Sven Botman, and The Athletic‘s Chris Waugh has said that Reims Hugo Ekitike remains a target.

In terms of new names, a report from 90min claimed that the Magpies are monitoring the situation of Kalvin Phillips at Leeds United, while transfer insider Dean Jones feels that an audacious move for Harry Kane shouldn’t be ruled out.

With Ryder hinting at an “exciting” summer in the transfer market and that plans are already in motion at the club in that regard, Newcastle fans may be