Newcastle United have an important summer on the horizon.
After guiding the Magpies to a first trophy in 70 years this season, Eddie Howe will be eager to kick on at St James’ Park and turn Newcastle back into a real force in English football.
That is arguably already happening, as Newcastle could go second in the Premier League with a win over Arsenal on Sunday.
| Position | Team | Played MP |
Won W |
Drawn D |
Lost L |
For GF |
Against GA |
Diff GD |
Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool |
36 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 83 | 37 | 46 | 83 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal |
36 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 66 | 33 | 33 | 68 |
| 3 |  NewcastleNewcastle |
36 | 20 | 6 | 10 | 68 | 45 | 23 | 66 |
| 4 |  Man CityManchester City |
36 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 67 | 43 | 24 | 65 |
| 5 |  ChelseaChelsea |
36 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 62 | 43 | 19 | 63 |
| 6 |  Aston VillaAston Villa |
36 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 56 | 49 | 7 | 63 |
| 7 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest |
36 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 56 | 44 | 12 | 62 |
However, the summer transfer window will be key, mainly in terms of keeping everybody together.
Manchester City want Bruno Guimaraes, while Arsenal are admirers of Alexander Isak and Liverpool fans of Anthony Gordon too.
In terms of arrivals, though, Paul Mitchell is now in talks to sign a new goalkeeper in Yahia Fofana.
Newcastle open talks with Angers over Yahia Fofana
L’Equipe now state that Newcastle are in discussions over a deal for the Ivory Coast international.
The French news outlet believe Fofana could depart Angers for as little as €10m (£8m) this summer due to the fact he only has 12 months left on his contract, with Southampton and Torino also keen.
However, it is said that the Ivorian is likely to reject Southampton after the Saints were relegated to the Championship, with Torino named as the only serious threat to Newcastle, seeing as Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is a target for Manchester United amid doubts over Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.
TBR Football understand Newcastle sent scouts to watch Fofana in action earlier this season, joining Tottenham and Manchester United in watching the Paris-born glovesman.
Howe is searching for a new goalkeeper as Nick Pope enters the final 12 months of his contract.
Fofana has kept seven clean sheets in 33 Ligue 1 appearances so far this season.
Didier Drogba admires Yahia Fofana
If Newcastle sign Fofana, Didier Drogba would approve of the deal.
The Chelsea legend is believed to have recommended the Newcastle target to the Blues – according to Pete O’Rourke – and is also rumoured to have convinced him to ignore France to focus on playing for the Ivory Coast national team.
