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Right winger, central defender, striker options, new goalkeeper . . . the transfer priorities for the summer window are piling up as Newcastle United look to make their first serious
investment for two years. Eddie Howe has money to spend, and there is confidence that the club will make the necessary deals to set the squad up for their Champions League challenge in the
coming weeks and months. Ask 100 people where Newcastle should strengthen first and you'll get 100 different answers, but the bottom line is that come the end of August, the squad will
have a fresh, new look about it. One area which rarely comes into the equation when it comes to transfers - at least right now - is the midfield. It's not hard to see why when Sandro
Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have turned themselves into one of the most formidable units in the Premier League. The energy and workrate of the trio, not the mention the creative
vision, has been the downfall of a many an opponent this past season, particularly once Tonali was moved into a central role and Bruno allowed to press higher up the pitch. United have been
without Joelinton for the last few weeks, with the Brazilian finally succumbing to a knee problem that ruled him out of the crucial run-in. And boy has he been missed. The results have
largely not dipped, but Newcastle's midfield is not the same with their No 7. And it's something Howe and his transfer team may look to address in the summer transfer window. The
truth is, United don't have anyone who can step into Joelinton's shoes and do the job he performs so well for the side. Lewis Miley is an excellent prospect and looks set to get
the gametime he craves next season when United are competing on four fronts, but he's not an enforcer in the way Joelinton is. Joe Willock favours the left side, as does Joelinton, but
has not been able to nail down a place in the side in his absence. He can offer excellent pace in transition, but not the presence in the centre of the park. Perhaps the closest is Sean
Longstaff, who has never shirked a tackle, but has been largely overlooked in the latter stages of the campaign. The pair's time at St James' could soon be up anyway, with Leeds
and Everton keen on Longstaff and Crystal Palace and Fulham reportedly interested in Willock. Any transfer fee received would be an added bonus for the transfer fund, but if either left then
they would have to be replaced. Howe ideally wants two players for every position, and Newcastle can't go into a season of European football with anything less than six players capable
of stepping up in the engine room. It's not easy, but someone who can at least try to emulate what Joelinton brings to to side should be top of the list when it comes to midfield
targets. Joelinton won't be able to play every game next season, and Newcastle must have suitable option to replace him - or risk having to chop and change tactics.