- Newcastle United dream transfer XI
- Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali exits expected
- Ousmane Diomande could join alongside £60m midfielder
Newcastle United have had a torrid time this season and face a long summer of uncertainty, both in who will be leading the club and who will be on the pitch.
It is set to be a big one, and everything points toward some high profile outgoings and the need for a rebuild ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Here, ReadNewcastle takes a look at what the team could look like once the madness subsides, taking into account departures and rumoured arrivals to create a possible starting XI, should current rumours prove true.
Newcastle United dream transfer XI
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
Defenders: Denzel Dumfries, Malick Thiaw, Ousmane Diomande, Lewis Hall
The goalkeeper position is one set to see change this summer, with Aaron Ramsdale returning to Southampton and Nick Pope appearing past his best.
David de Gea has been linked with a move to Newcastle in the past few days, and given that a deal would likely be cheap, it could suit the Magpies amid growing speculation that the transfer budget may be rather modest. The goalkeeper is a Manchester United legend, having lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, two League Cups and a Europa League at Old Trafford.
In the scenario that Tino Livramento leaves, which is looking increasingly likely, Newcastle will need to invest in a starting right back. Denzel Dumfries is one of those linked and is available via a £22m release clause.
The Inter man would bring some much-needed experience at the highest level and would likely suit the Premier League well with his athletic prowess.
Malick Thiaw has largely been the best summer signing for the Magpies, despite some shaky moments since the turn of the year. He doesn’t really have an established partner at this stage, with Botman struggling to impress and always under threat of injury. The club may look to bolster amid the ageing profiles of Dan Burn and Fabian Schar, and Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande has been linked in recent weeks.
Diomande has been a long-standing target for Newcastle, and this summer could be the one that sees a concrete move made for his services.
Newcastle to sign £60m-rated Sandro Tonali replacement
Midfielders: Bruno Guimaraes, Lamine Camara, Jacob Ramsey
We’ll continue with the theme of hypothesising that the big names linked away will leave, although there is no way we’d ever suggest losing Bruno Guimaraes.
There seems to be the feeling around Sandro Tonali that he could still be at the club next year, especially given he was handed the captain’s armband for the first time at the weekend.
But, should the Italian leave, Newcastle have already been linked with some interesting moves for replacements. Perhaps the most interesting of those, especially when it comes to directly replicating Tonali’s output, is £60 million-rated Lamine Camara from AS Monaco.
The midfielder would probably cost upwards of £60m, and Newcastle would have to fend off interest from a plethora of clubs. The playmaker he has a lot of attributes which would lend him well to playing in the deepest midfield role, namely his keen running, defensive contribution and creativity when allowed into forward areas.
Those two will be joined by one of the current cohort; given the promise Ramsey has shown at times this season and the £40m fee paid last summer for his services, he is best suited to fill that role.
Nick Woltemade continues and Brazilian wonderkid signed
Forwards: Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, William Gomes
The right-wing spot is still a big problem for Newcastle, given the struggles of £55m Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy this season. It feels a little fruitless to spend more time trying to fill that role when so many other areas need reinforcing. Elanga must be trusted to continue.
With Anthony Gordon seeming almost certain for a move away, a left-wing replacement is needed, and links have been rife to 20-year-old Porto star William Gomes.
Yes, we are well aware that Gomes is a right winger by trade, but he is left-footed and has shown the ability to play off both sides. The Magpies have played with inverting wingers for some time now, and it could be worthwhile to have another option who can hug the touchline and whip crosses into the box.
Gomes also has a natural instinct to score goals, which wouldn’t dissipate from merely switching sides, and it would be useful to have a winger who can also play off the right, given the mentioned problems there.
For the striker position, we are backing Nick Woltemade to continue at the club and hopefully be trusted as the focal point. The German has had a tough time this season but has shown his goalscoring ability and what he can do when used correctly. It would surely make no sense to sign yet another striker having just spent £115m on that position last summer.
In other news, Ex Newcastle United star sparks social media frenzy after Leicester City relegation.
