Newcastle United followed suit soon after Brighton & Hove Albion became the first team to gain promotion to the Premier League. The Magpies had a comfortable 4-1 win over 11th placed Preston North End that took them to 88 points from 44 games.
This was definitely a much-needed win for Rafa Benitez’s men, who saw their hugely consistent season faring out quite unexpectedly as Brighton tipped them over just in the closing weeks of the season. Newcastle went on a shocking winless run in the last three games, which turned the table totally.
With just two games left in the season, Newcastle has a realistic chance of winning the Championship if Brighton keeps faltering. Benitez’s men face Cardiff City and Barnsley next, hoping for easy wins.
However, the target totally changes now as the Magpies prepare for life in the Premier League. Newcastle United had a huge squad revamping at the start of this season, which quite worked in their favour; and given the experience, Benitez has in the Premier League, we would be expecting some major changes this time too, if not a total overhaul.
Here are 3 players Newcastle could target this summer transfer window-
Jermain Defoe- Sunderland are definitely going down unless the teams above them get things wrong big time. The Black Cats didn’t have too many things going their way, except for this one man. The English international has resurrected this season, scoring at will for Sunderland.
And it will be very difficult to hold for the club on to their star man given the financial crisis they are going through. The 34-year-old’s career was almost on the brink of retiring when he started the season. And now after 32 games and 14 goals, he can dream of participating in the 2018 World Cup. Newcastle United can give him the needed platform in achieving it.
Bacary Sagna- Bacary Sagna has clearly fallen out of favour at Etihad Stadium and so has Pablo Zabaleta. Pep Guardiola has been playing winger Jesus Navas as the right-back of late, which indicates that the aged feet of his natural full-backs have lost the pace.
However, City’s blueprint is unlike any of the teams have played in the Premier League. And Sagna’s exclusion doesn’t mean he has forgotten to defend. The 34-year-old can still be a real rock at the back and Newcastle United can get him for a cheaper price.
Adnan Januzaj- Another Sunderland player, who will most probably be put up for sale at the end of the sale. The Manchester United loanee hasn’t impressed at all this season and injuries have played a big part in it. He will like to make amends for it next season and at only 22, he has a lot more to give.
Newcastle can have the perfect backup on the right-flank to Matt Ritchie.
