Newcastle United's early double swoop bodes well for exciting summer transfer window
Newcastle United appear to be in a hurry when it comes to their recruitment, both on and off the pitch, and that bodes well ahead of what promises to be a busy summer on Tyneside.
The transfer window may not open for another few weeks but the Magpies are attempting to close in on some major business before the domestic season comes to a close. Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo will leave west London on a free this summer, with Newcastle at the front of the queue to land his signature.
With Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles potentially missing for the rest of the year, acquiring at least one new centre-back has been high on Eddie Howe's priority list. Some will scoff and urge caution over the fact Newcastle are signing a player destined to be a free agent over the summer but Adarabioyo represents a big coup given reported interest from big-name suitors - and offers a huge boost before a crucial summer.
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The former Manchester City academy graduate has been an ever-present member at Fulham in recent seasons and will bring much-needed Premier League experience to heart of the Newcastle backline. As for his playing abilities, the Magpies will be acquiring a centre-back who is comfortable defending on transitions and has shown great positional awareness time and time again.
With Newcastle also linked with a move for Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly, another determined to run his contract down, the North East outfit are wasting no time eyeing deals that provide major value. Should one, or both, aforementioned defenders make the move to the North East, Howe and his transfer team can instead use their kitty to strengthen in areas such as the goalkeeping department and frontline.
That transfer team is not yet fully stocked with Newcastle on the hunt for a sporting director able to come in and take over from the departing Dan Ashworth. There is hope the new candidate will be in place before the start of the summer window and it is Crystal Palace's Dougie Freedman who currently leads the race to take over at St James' Park.
Highly-rated due to his track record with Selhurst Park signings, the former Bolton, Nottingham Forest and Palace manager has been backed to fill the void in the Newcastle boardroom. That is some going considering the likes of Paul Mitchell, Hugo Viana, Johannes Spors, Tiago Pinto and Phil Giles had all been touted with replacing Ashworth.
Freedman has worked wonders on a budget in south east London, signing the likes of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Adam Wharton from Championship clubs. His straight-talking style is said to have impressed Newcastle chiefs, who have again moved swiftly to ensure they are in a strong position at the start of the summer.
It is worth pointing out neither deal is yet over the line. Adarabioyo's Fulham departure is all but nailed on but given Manchester United and Chelsea have thrown their hat into the ring for his signature, things could change. As for Freedman, the Guardian report Palace chairman Steve Parish is doing everything he can to keep the boardroom chief in the capital.
Parish will no doubt feel emboldened having fended off interest in manager Oliver Glasner's services after interest from Bayern Munich this week, especially given Freedman played a major role in the Austrian manager taking over at Selhurst Park.
However, if both deals come to fruition in the coming weeks, it will be the absolute dream start to the summer for Newcastle United and Eddie Howe.