Newcastle have reportedly made a breakthrough in their first major transfer of the summer and Eddie Howe’s side are now preparing to splash nearly €150 million in the coming weeks.
The Magpies have struggled to add first team players to their squad last summer and they have only managed to sign youth prospect Antonio Cordero this year, however they have made progress on deals for top targets in recent days.
Having seen a £45m (€50m) bid rejected by Nottingham Forest for Anthony Elanga earlier this week, Newcastle are expected to return with an improved offer and the winger could be one of three players closing in on a move to St James’ Park, according to The Telegraph.
However, despite a desire for both players, Newcastle may only end up pursuing one of Elanga and Pedro depending on negotiations and they would be willing to move onto other targets completely if a compromise on fees cannot be reached.
Howe is said to have ‘made it clear’ that he would like to have at least two new signings in place before the start of pre-season training on 7 July and Newcastle are working to a ‘soft deadline’, with the hope of making a breakthrough by the end of next week, otherwise they will move onto other targets.
Newcastle deal for goalkeeper ‘done and confirmed’
Perhaps the most advanced deal for Newcastle is for James Trafford, with transfer journalist Nicolo Schira claiming a deal is ‘done and confirmed’ for the Burnley goalkeeper for €20m.
Trafford was close to joining Newcastle last year and personal terms have already been in place since then, while Burnley are said to have a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to allow the 22-year-old to leave this summer.
However, Fabrizio Romano has suggested that there is still yet to be an agreement over a fee with Burnley, although there is an ‘expectation’ a deal will get done in the coming days.
The Telegraph state that a fee of £25m (€30m) including add-ons is being discussed, with Manchester City set to benefit from a 20% sell-on clause, potentially leading to Newcastle spending close to €150m on three players in quick succession and kick-starting their summer business in style.
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