Realistic Newcastle Dream Team for Next Premier League Season

Money, money, money.

Up in Tyneside, that's the word being flung around as Newcastle appear to be edging ever closer to finally bidding a (not so) fond farewell to Mike Ashley and welcoming billionaire Saudi owners.

The moral and ethical viewpoint on the matter is a discussion for another day (Chris Deeley has you covered, anyway). Whatever your feelings may be on the proposed new owners, shelve them for a moment and instead let's look at the footballing side of the equation.

Talk of Newcastle being a 'sleeping giant' about to wake and launch an almighty assault on the Premier League is extremely premature, but there is no doubting the incoming finances will see a raid on the transfer market take place.

So, keeping within the realms of realism, what could the Magpies' lineup look like next season? Let's take a look.

GK - Martin Dubravka

One position that the Magpies needn't strengthen is in goal. Martin Dubravka has been one of the club's best pieces of business over the last few seasons, regularly featuring in the upper end of the 'saves made' table in the Premier League.

He signed a new six-year deal back in October, so this position looks fairly cemented. Despite the hordes of Newcastle fans vying for Jan Oblak...

RB - Danny da Costa

Languishing in the bottom half of the table this season as a result of losing key players in the summer, one particular shining light for Eintracht Frankfurt has been right-back Danny da Costa.

He's been consistently good in a misfiring side, and the lure of Newcastle's project coupled with the Magpies' love of fast full-backs make this a perfect match.

CB - Jamaal Lascelles

Finding the right partner for the club captain has been tough for Steve Bruce, who tends to operate with three central defenders to complement Lascelles.

He won't be going anywhere, though, as Bruce needs to maintain a core to the side that won't disrupt the status quo.

CB - Lewis Dunk

Centre-backs have become one of the most challenging commodities to sign over the last few transfer windows, so securing a highly-regarded defender not plying his trade in the Champions League would be a tough ask.

Lewis Dunk has long been admired during his time at Brighton, and with the Seagulls unlikely to be pushing up the league table next year, acquiring an English central defender with the promise of potential European football may be a wise move.

LB - Jetro Willems

Another position that needs no amending is at left-back, where Jetro Willems impressed with his technical ability and contributions in the final third prior to his unfortunate injury.

With football taking an unprecedented break, the Dutchman has time to recover from his layoff and put himself back in Bruce's thoughts before the manager starts seeing pound signs floating about in his vision.

CM - Boubakary Soumaré

It's been documented that Newcastle employed Allan Saint-Maximin with their last-ditch efforts to sign Boubakary Soumaré in January, only for their attempts to fall on deaf ears.

While there are other (bigger) Premier League clubs circling for the Lille man, he may be persuaded to use Newcastle as a stepping stone - although that won't be the owner's plan - before moving to a 'big six' side, especially if Lille don't earn Champions League football this term. Would be an ask, but don't be surprised to see the Magpies go in for him again.

CM - John McGinn

There will need to be a gradual process of investment into the playing squad at Newcastle in order to maintain some balance in the side. And while Jonjo Shelvey managed to battle his way back into Bruce's first-team plans in the second half of the season, it's likely that midfield will be one of the main areas to overhaul.

Much will depend on Aston Villa's bid to stay in the Premier League, but a big part of the reason they're down there in the first place is due to losing John McGinn. On his day, he's among one of the better box-to-box midfielders in the league.

AM - Miguel Almiron

While he's operated in a more wide attacking berth since joining the club, the addition of a midfield enforcer like Soumaré could allow Almiron to be a creative force from a central position, where his technical ability can come to the fore.

That change in position could benefit him greatly, although convincing Bruce to move away from his five-man defence and four-man midfield might be hard work. You never know, though, he may change.

LW - Hakan Çalhanoğlu

This is a transfer that has Newcastle's name written all over it. Once highly regarded across Europe for his dead ball abilities, Hakan Çalhanoğlu has since faded out of the public eye just as AC Milan are on their downward slope to mediocrity.

No top level European football at San Siro is likely to continue, and a fresh challenge in a new league could suit the Turk. In need of someone to provide distribution, and with Milan's crippling financial situation, a half-decent fee should do the trick. A move to Arsenal has been mooted, but Newcastle could steal a march.

RW - Allan Saint-Maximin

Loved and adored in the north east after adding a much-needed injection of flair into an otherwise rigid and pragmatic side, the Frenchman is one of few who shouldn't be worried about a sudden boost in funding.

He's been the club's best player this season and with better quality forwards around him (looking at you, Joelinton), he could get even better.

CF - Odsonne Édouard

Celtic do find themselves in and around Europe each season, but as we've seen many times before to overseas players, the lure of the Premier League can be too much to resist for those up in Scotland.

Newcastle desperately need someone to score goals since their £40m fiasco signing Joelinton is quite clearly not the answer. He may not be the marquee striker that Toon fans will be hoping for, but his scoring rates have improved each season in Glasgow, and at 22, there is still plenty more to come.

For more from Ross Kennerley, follow him on Twitter!

Source : 90min