After a torrid 2015/16 campaign ended in relegation for Newcastle United, plans for life in the Championship are already being put into place.
The club have already signed Matt Ritchie, Dwight Gayle, Isaac Hayden, Jesus Gamez and Matz Sels in their quest to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking and you can bet that the new signings won’t end there.
Manager Rafa Benitez has obviously seen the potential at the club with him staying at the helm and obviously this is going to be a big part of selling the club to any proposed new players. The combination of a Champions League winning manager with a club boasting one of the best supporter bases around makes the club a big draw for many and the former Liverpool boss obviously believes the Magpies can achieve some kind of success in the next few years.
Getting the right players in is key to a good Championship campaign and knowing the market goes hand in hand with this. Benitez will have to find a few signings that no-one else would have thought of looking at, so here are five suggestions to give him a head start…
Josh Vela
Vela is a very versatile player and this would come in handy during a long and taxing Championship season.
The Salford-born player is currently at Bolton Wanderers who were relegated to League One last season and this would make it hard to keep hold of him if the Magpies came knocking.
Vela has a good future ahead of him if he gets the right chance and Newcastle could be just the thing he needs.
Teddy Bishop
The young midfielder emerged for Ipswich Town under Mick McCarthy and has impressed a lot in his handful of appearances.
The Tractor Boys are bound to want to keep hold of him given his good set-piece ability and defensive work but again, the prospect of signing for Newcastle could be too good to turn down.
The Magpies need to plan for the future and Bishop could be a part of that.
Jeremiah St. Juste
St. Juste is on his way up through the Dutch football set up and will soon be playing for the senior side as the Netherlands aim to usher in a new era.
The centre-half is a first team regular Heerenveen but it’s widely expected he won’t be at the club for much longer given his talent.
Manchester United reportedly scouted him last season and with him being dubbed ‘The Dutch Varane’ big things are expected – Newcastle should steal a march on their competitors here.
Daniele Rugani
Rugani is a bit further along in his career than St. Juste but risks seeing it stall at Juventus.
The Turin club have Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli already ahead of him in his position and moving away must have crossed his mind.
He’ll probably want to play in Europe but again risks seeing playing time limited if it goes wrong. If Benitez could persuade him to join with his vision for the club, Newcastle will be getting a very good player.
Hachim Mastour
Mastour is an exciting young attack minded player who spent last season on loan at Malaga from parent club AC Milan.
The Moroccan has made a first team appearance for his national team and is clearly ready for first team football despite his young age.
If he can’t get it at a Milan side who are suffering at the moment then he may feel it’s time to move on and Newcastle could be one of the most intriguing proposals for him.