The January window was dominated by talk of outgoings and PSR issues, while links to right-wingers and centre-backs quickly came to nothing as it became increasingly clear we wouldn’t be signing anyone.
Turkish talent Baran Yildiz arrived in January, joining Kyle Fitzgerald as an Under-21 addition, but there was no first-team additions.
Movement in the goalkeeping department was touted at one stage as Al-Shabab plotted a move for Martin Dubravka. He’s stayed put, but this area of the side could be one to watch this summer if the Slovakian does seal a move to Saudi Arabia.
On the subject of goalkeepers, another has been linked this week, suggesting long-term target James Trafford isn’t the only stopper on our radar heading into the summer.
Three years on from Bruno Guimaraes’ arrival on Tyneside, Newcastle are being linked with another Brazilian currently at Lyon.
Journalist Jorge Nicola claims Newcastle showed interest in Lyon goalkeeper Lucas Perri in January, but our approach was rebuffed by OL chief John Textor.
However, Nicola reports that Newcastle plan to ‘move forward in the negotiations’ for Perri over the summer, suggesting the 27-year-old is the latest stopper on our radar.
Perri joined from Botafogo last summer and has impressed on his first season in Ligue 1, keeping 11 clean sheets in 29 games in all competitions.
Brazilian outlet Bolavip have also covered the story, claiming Perri would fulfil his ‘dream of playing in the Premier League’ if he ended up joining Bruno on Tyneside.
It may seem silly to suggest signing another goalkeeper, but we saw links to James Trafford and Giorgi Mamadashvilli last summer and seem intent on signing a younger stopper who can eventually replace Nick Pope.
Pope’s limited ball-playing qualities may be a slight concern, along with his injury record, which has seen him miss big chunks of the last two season,
Elsewhere, we have Odysseas Vlachodimos – clearly signed in a PSR-deal – and Martin Dúbravka, who is out of contract this summer along with Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy.