Newcastle United supporters in the Transfer Tavern are eagerly anticipating the 2018/19 Premier League season, what with their team seeking to build upon their impressive tenth place finish last term.

Rafa Benitez’s men deserve great credit for achieving a top half finish upon their return to the top-flight last time round, having won the Championship title just 12 months earlier. But based on their limitations over the course of the campaign, it’s clear that reinforcements will be needed over the summer to help take Benitez’s side to the next level this season, and perhaps back towards their former glories in the years to come.

As such, there are many excited Magpies fans up and down the country, several of whom are wondering who could break-out from the youth ranks this coming season, and thus seek to stake a claim for a first team spot in the near future.

And based on his efforts for the club’s development team last term, alongside his short stint on loan at Crewe Alexandra, 21-year-old Dan Barlaser could well be set to become the next midfield general at St James’ Park.

The Turkish youngster made the move to the Newcastle academy back in 2006 and has since worked his way up through the youth ranks at the North East giants, having played a staggering 84 times for the Under-23 side.

And last season saw the midfielder really produce the goods in laying on six assists in 17 appearances in Division Two of Premier League 2, thus seeing him finish atop of that particular chart alongside Wolves’ Sherwin Seedorf.

In fact, Barlaser’s efforts for the Magpies development squad saw him earn a loan move to third tier outfit Crewe in the second half of last season, a stint that was sure to aid with his development and give him much-needed league experience, even if he did only appear four times.

The 21-year-old has played four times for the senior side at Newcastle to suggest that he isn’t too far away from the first team picture, and with a wide array of passing and fine ability when shooting from long range, he could well be the man to marshal the Magpies midfield for many years to come.

Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!