Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe was giving nothing away when quizzed about the potential signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.
The Magpies are preparing for their Premier League opener against Southampton on Tyneside this weekend but behind the scenes are still trying to strengthen their squad.
Newcastle returned to the Champions League last term but then finished seventh in 2023-24, missing out on Europe due to Manchester United winning the FA Cup.
They were excellent in attack but an injury-ridden defence meant they shipped more goals than they would have liked.
And with Guehi reportedly a top target, Howe will be hoping a deal can be struck sooner rather than later.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: “Everyone is looking for the best players they can find.
Eddie Howe’s hopes for the new campaign:
“We have evolved the squad, that is not always necessarily in terms of personnel. We’re trying to do that all the time. We’re trying to add layers to our game. We’re trying to improve.
I think we have done that in pre-season. Obviously,… pic.twitter.com/gMhK5fBo1V
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 16, 2024
“From our perspective, we’ve got a good squad, when everyone’s fit – a very good squad. So to sign players and make your squad better, it’s difficult, but it’s achievable – we can do it.
“We don’t want to make a signing and three or four months down the line think ‘it hasn’t kicked us on anywhere’ and you’re just adding numbers. That’s something we’ve got to avoid at all costs, in my opinion.
“The difference-makers, the players that can take the team on, is what we’re looking for.”
Newcastle confirmed that midfielder Sandro Tonali will return to the pitch on 28 August after serving his ban for betting breaches.
The Italian was a big miss for the Magpies last term and Howe added that the player is buzzing to return.
He said: “He has handled himself really well in this period, I am sure he has had some hard days.
“He has trained really well and has been a great team-mate. I know how focused and excited he is for his return.
“Again, another huge thing for me to say is thank you to the Newcastle United fans. The way they’ve looked after him and for how they’ve dealt with him socially.
“I think it’s been an incredible response and that will only help him when he returns.”
