Champions League qualification may be required if Newcastle United is to secure two potential signings, it appears.
Newcastle’s hopes of qualifying for European football’s top domestic competition were significantly boosted last weekend when they defeated Nottingham Forest 4-3 in a thriller at St. James’ Park to reclaim fifth place in the table.
Newcastle sit a point ahead of Bournemouth and Chelsea, who both lost on Saturday, and level on points with Premier League holders Man City. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side now within arms reach, just three points above the Toon.
Two targets could be keen?
According to Mark Douglas of the i, Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen and an anonymous ‘top right-winger’ are interested in moving to Tyneside, although Champions League football might be crucial.
Huijsen has a £50 million release clause in place this summer, and it’s widely established that a right-winger is one of our top goals, with Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo, Johan Bakayoko, and Tyler Dibling among those linked.
Here’s a clip from his report: “‘As The i Paper reported this week, they are one of six teams who are realistic bidders for Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, a 19-year-old defender whose potential is “limitless,” according to one of those who has watched his progress.
“A £50 million release clause means the Cherries see his departure as unavoidable, and the player is said to be receptive to a Newcastle approach, but playing in Europe is a priority.
“This is a message Mitchell will hear repeatedly. Another potentially outstanding right-winger who will be available is said to be interested in a move to Newcastle, but only if they are in the Champions League by 2025, according to one source acquainted with his thinking.
It is particularly noteworthy in the case of Huijsen, who has all the makings of one of the top centre-backs in world football in the coming years and has been connected frequently in recent weeks. His profile is exactly the type of player we have been seeking for, similar to youthful defensive acquisitions with high potential such as Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, and Sven Botman.
Douglas also adds that we are interested in his Cherries colleague, Illia Zabarnyi, who would be difficult to lure away from Bournemouth due to the lack of a release provision in his contract, unlike Huijsen’s.
PSR’s position has improved, but how important is the Champions League?
Our stronger situation in terms of PSR following the January signings of Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly will allow us to spend this summer after three windows without a key acquisition.
Champions League football in the north east next season will be critical if we are to acquire our major targets; even just to compete for the top signings, we must be in Europe’s greatest league.
It has been reported that sporting director Mitchell has prepared for both possibilities, Champions League qualification or not, by compiling two separate lists of targets. We have ‘Plan A’ with the UCL on our schedule, and ‘Plan B’ in case we miss out.
The anonymous winger clearly fits into Plan A, although Huijsen may be difficult to recruit without top-tier European football considering the number of major clubs interested.
