---
title: "Newcastle: Eddie Howe looking to add midfielder to Magpies’ squad"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-transfer-news-latest-rumours-midfield-howe/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2022-09-26T17:35:50Z"
modified: "2022-09-26T17:35:50Z"
---

# Newcastle: Eddie Howe looking to add midfielder to Magpies’ squad

**[Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/) manager Eddie Howe is looking to add another midfielder to his Magpies squad next summer, according to [Sky Sports reporter](https://twitter.com/SkySports_Keith) Keith Downie.**

### **The Lowdown: Interest in midfielders**

The Tyneside club were linked with a number of midfielders this summer as they aimed to assemble a squad capable of European qualification.

Whilst Newcastle were linked with the likes of Leicester City’s [Youri Tielemans](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/newcastle-united-youri-tielemans-transfer-news-latest-rumours-gossip-howe/) and Chelsea’s [Conor Gallagher](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-transfer-rumours/newastle-united-conor-gallagher-transfer-news-latest-rumours-gossip-howe/), the most prominent speculation emerged regarding James Maddison. The Magpies made [two bids](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/02/newcastle-fail-bid-leicester-james-maddison-transfer-window) for the 25-year-old, the second of which totalled a staggering [£50m](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/02/newcastle-fail-bid-leicester-james-maddison-transfer-window) (£45m plus £5m in add-ons).

However, the Foxes remained firm on their [£60m valuation](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/02/newcastle-fail-bid-leicester-james-maddison-transfer-window) of the playmaker, leaving Howe without an additional midfield acquisition.

### **The Latest: Downie’s claim**

Downie understands that Newcastle are keen to add a top-quality midfielder to their squad next year, with that piece of the puzzle missing next to current Brazilian duo Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

Speaking with [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88063482-newcastle-looking-to-sign-real-class-midfielder-at-st-james-park), the Sky Sports reporter claimed: “Next summer, I think they’ll then be looking to add a real class midfielder to come in and complement the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton in there. I think they definitely need someone in that position as well.”

[Newcastle news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-7/)

### **The Verdict: Could be scope for playmaking addition**

Since Guimaraes arrived at St James’ Park and Joelinton moved to a [more defensive position](https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj-p5_1zLL6AhUSUsAKHVwqBjQQFnoECAUQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chroniclelive.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-news%2Fkey-change-transformed-joelinton-newcastle-22553285&usg=AOvVaw0OHNhTi_i2RTd88k0IQRiF) in midfield, Newcastle look far superior in the middle of the park compared to last season.

As per [FBRef](https://fbref.com/en/players/82518f62/Bruno-Guimaraes), compared with positional peers across Europe over the past year, Guimaraes ranks in the 99th percentile for tackles and the 93rd percentile for progressive carries and non-penalty expected goals plus expected assists.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”410504″\]

Complimenting this, Joelinton ranks in the 96th percentile for aerial duels won, the 93rd percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area and the 90th percentile for blocks (via [FBRef](https://fbref.com/en/players/c17bfb65/Joelinton)).

However, this leaves a space for a new playmaker to be integrated into Newcastle’s starting XI, which could ultimately result in an equally balanced midfield trio.