Newcastle United may attempt to sign ‘an attacking midfielder’ in the upcoming summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie.

The Magpies joined football’s financial elite when a Saudi-backed consortium bought the club off previous owner Mike Ashley last year and are expected to invest heavily in the first-team squad.

What is the latest news involving Newcastle?

According to TEAMtalk, Jamal Lewis, Matt Ritchie, Ciaran Clark, Emil Krafth, Dwight Gayle, Federico Fernandez and Miguel Almiron are amongst the fringe stars who have been put up for sale by the Newcastle hierarchy.

And Football Insider have recently stated that Eddie Howe’s charges are set to demand £15 million for Almiron’s services, who briefly became the club’s record signing when he arrived in January 2019.

However, the Paraguay international’s exit would leave Joelinton as the only natural option in a central attacking midfield role, and the 6 foot 1 ace has been excelling in a deeper position of late.

Howe may be tempted to bring in a direct replacement for Almiron if he does depart St. James’ Park ahead of next season then, providing him with the required tactical flexibility and creativity to break more stubborn defences down.

What has Downie said about Newcastle?

During January, in what was Newcastle’s new owner’s first transfer window at the helm, the North East outfit splashed out over £90 million on five new signings.

The arrivals of Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier sparked a dramatic turnaround in Newcastle’s fortunes on the pitch, yet the investment is not anticipated to stop there.

Fabrizio Romano CONFIRMS Man United are close to appointing Erik ten Hag! Find out more on The Football Terrace

A report in The Telegraph has claimed that the club likely to have a transfer budget of less than the £90m they spent in the winter, though, but Downie ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ to see a number 10 arrive.

In an exclusive interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “I wouldn't be surprised if they brought in an attacking midfielder.”

Who could Newcastle sign?

Newcastle were keen to snap up Manchester United ace Jesse Lingard in January and could revive their interest in the 29-year-old over the summer.

The versatile forward is set to become a free agent in a few months’ time, and The i have disclosed how Newcastle have ‘remained in contact’ with Lingard’s camp ahead of a potential move.

Co-owner Amanda Stavely said in an interview with The Athletic that Lingard wanted to join Howe’s ongoing revolution in the previous window and he may finally get his wish when the market reopens.