It is telling that the feeling at the end of the 2025/26 is one of relief for the Newcastle United persuasion, who have been put through the wringer over the past year in the Premier League.

12 months ago, Toon fans celebrated triumph in the Carabao Cup, with Eddie Howe also leading his side into the Champions League for the second time in three years, but Alexander Isak's record-breaking sale to Liverpool, and more failures in the transfer market, scuppered hopes of building.

It was a wobbly start to the season, and it descended into mid-table mediocrity, the Magpies never finding the form that has carried them through the peaks and the valleys over the past several years in Howe's system.

PIF have maintained the faith in the under-fire manager, though, who is preparing for a summer transfer window that could define the next few years on Tyneside.

Newcastle readying offer for new midfielder

Anthony Gordon is in Spain, ready to put pen to paper and sign for Barcelona in a deal worth around £69m.

The England winger has Newcastle's blessing, securing for the Toon a hefty pay package for a forward who has ebbed and flowed this season, scoring 17 times in all competitions but only six times in the Premier League.

Could the imminent sale strengthen Newcastle's position in keeping onto Sandro Tonali, whose future has also been the source of speculation in 2026?

Tonali is one of the best midfielders in England, and it does feel like he will depart St. James' Park sooner or later. Newcastle need to prepare.

According to Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, Newcastle are progressing with a move to sign Club Brugge's Alexander Stankovic, pulling away from Arsenal in the race for the Serbian midfielder.

It's understood that Newcastle could end up paying €40m (about £34m) for Stankovic's signature, and given that they do not have European football to look forward to next term, they will need to be sure that this is the move to make.

Why Stankovic can be Newcastle's next Tonali

Stankovic is one of the most exciting young midfielders in the world, hailed as a "leader" for Club Brugge by talent scout Jacek Kulig. An intelligent all-action midfielder, he would align with the blend of physicality and elegance that Howe champions in his midfielders.

He gives you order in the middle of the park, combative and tenacious. His creative game is nothing to be sniffed at either, and there is a case to be made that he could perform the role that Tonali plays so well under Howe's management.

The Premier League is, of course, a step up from the Belgian Pro League, but there's no question about Stankovic's potential to succeed after making such a switch, bearing several uncanny similarities with Newcastle's Italian enforcer.

There's nothing to suggest that the duo couldn't cohabit inside Howe's midfield, threaded together by skipper Bruno Guimaraes' brilliance, but if a deal for Stankovic is completed this summer, it feels like Tonali's exit will be in mind.

Newcastle have changed their strategy, though, learning the errors of their ways last year. Now they are ready to cash in on those who are looking elsehwhere, and Tonali appears to be keen on signing for a divisional rival, Arsenal and Manchester United both interested.

Stankovic's multi-faceted midfield game is perfect for the Toon. They need to complete this deal, evolving and deepening a squad who lost their way this season.

Newcastle didn't turn up this season, but they still have a lot of quality in their squad, and if Howe and technical director Ross Wilson can secure an attacking addition or two alongside Stankovic in the middle, they might find themselves back in the ascendancy sooner rather than later.