The intriguing £30m Newcastle United transfer rumour that makes total sense

The summer transfer window is officially open for business and there is no doubt Newcastle United need to be at the front of the queue after what some may see as an underwhelming season last time out.

It was a season that began with excitement and anticipation over the end of the Magpies two-decade absence from the Champions League and with a deep desire to build on what had been a remarkable campaign as Eddie Howe’s side secured a top four finish for the first time since the days of Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer and Laurent Robert.

However, a seemingly season-long struggle with injuries, the long-term suspension handed to key summer signing Sandro Tonali and a failure to hit real form in away games meant the Magpies failed to hit the heights they had just 12 months earlier.

It should also be added there was a somewhat cruel twist as Newcastle ended a Premier League season above Manchester United for the first time - only to see the Red Devils’ FA Cup Final win against Manchester City deny them a place in the Europa Conference League. But the cold, hard truth is that Newcastle should not have been relying on a City win at Wembley and their failure to qualify for Europe for a second successive season was down to their own shortcomings.

Despite what seems a negative outlook, there are still reasons to be positive for the Magpies. Key men Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak have both made positive noises about remaining at St. James’ Park despite reportedly being the subject of interest from elsewhere and two new faces have already arrived with a permanent deal for Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall and Bournemouth’s versatile defender Lloyd Kelly.

The priorities for further incomings seem to revolve around another defender, a versatile forward and a winger - although a goalkeeper looks likely to arrive and there are suggestions Newcastle have made progress in their bid to sign Burnley’s England Under-21 stopper James Trafford.

The possibility of a new winger arriving could well depend on whether Saudi Pro League interest in Miguel Almiron is firmed up. If not, there are suggestions Yankuba Minteh’s time at Newcastle could be ended without the Gambia winger making an appearance for the Magpies after he enjoyed an impressive loan spell with Dutch giants Feyenoord last season.

Despite the presence of the likes of Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Joelinton and Jacob Murphy within Howe’s current squad, all of whom can make an impact in wide positions, there will still be a desire to bring in a winger. Reports of interest in the likes of Crystal Palace star Michael Olise, West Ham United forward Jarrod Bowen and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Pedro Neto are not without foundation with all three believed to have admirers within the Magpies hierarchy.

There have also been links with Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, who showed real signs of improvement during the final months of the season after enduring a challenging opening to his time at Stamford Bridge. After joining the Blues in a reported £30m move from PSV Eindhoven, the former Tottenham Hotspur academy winger did not find the net in the Premier League until late December and a first league assist did not arrive until the final month of the campaign.

Yet there was a marked upturn in his form in the last third of the season as Madueke started Chelsea’s final nine games and provided three goals and two assists to help a Blues side then managed by Mauricio Pochettino overhaul Newcastle and Manchester United to land a place in European football next season. Of course, the latter’s FA Cup Final win means Chelsea were relegated into the Europa Conference League after initially securing a Europa League spot - but even that will provide a positive spin on a season littered with issues at Stamford Bridge.

What lies ahead for Madueke and his team-mates remains to be seen after former Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca was named as Pochettino’s successor following the latter’s surprise departure just hours after the completion of the Premier League campaign. Perhaps that uncertainty and United’s desire to sign a winger have played some part in the interest - but delve a little deeper and it’s not hard to see just why the Magpies would be keen on the 20-times capped England Under-21 star.

At 22-year-old, Madueke seems to fit the criteria for a big money Newcastle signing, with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Sandro Tonali all aged between 21 and 25 when they moved to St. James’ Park and the aim will be to allow them to grow with the club or present a sizeable profit should be be sold on at some point.

There should also be a feeling Madueke could have a point to prove after struggling to hold down a regular starting place at Chelsea and he also brings the Premier League experience - albeit just one season - that Howe craves in his new additions. With eight goals and three assists in 34 appearances in all competitions last season, Madueke’s output sits at just over one goal contribution in every three games and that record is improved at international level with seven goals and six assists in 20 caps.

Although it would seem the Magpies primary interest remains set on Palace winger Olise, there is no doubt a move for Madueke would tick a lot of boxes if Chelsea are willing to sell the winger to a Premier League rival.