Newcastle 2023/24 season preview: Key players, summer transfers, squad numbers & predictions

Champions League outfit Newcastle - how good does that sound, Magpie fans? - have no intention of resting on their laurels in 2023/24.

While a distinct improvement was expected from Eddie Howe's side last season, they defied the odds to secure a top-four finish that was foreshadowed by few heading into 2022/23.

Shrewd coaching, savvy recruitment and a raucous home atmosphere have all played crucial roles in Newcastle's ascension since their Saudi-backed takeover came to fruition. However, Howe will have to work further magic if the Magpies are to retain their status as a Champions League club heading forward.

Here's 90min's preview of Newcastle's 2023/24 season.

Newcastle's performance last five seasons

Season	Premier League	FA Cup	EFL Cup
2022/23	4th	R3	RU
2021/22	11th	R3	R2
2020/21	12th	R3	QF
2019/20	13th	QF	R2
2018/19	13th	R4	R2

Summer transfers

Ins:

Sandro Tonali (MF) - AC Milan - £55m
Harvey Barnes (FW) - Leicester - £39m
Tino Livramento (DF) - Southampton - £32m
Yankuba Minteh (FW) - Odense - £5.8m

Outs:

Allan Saint-Maximin (FW) - Al Ahli - £23m
Chris Wood (FW) - Nottingham Forest - £15m
Karl Darlow (GK) - Leeds - £400,000
Jamal Lewis (DF) - Watford - loan
Yankuba Minteh (FW) - Feyenoord - loan
Harrison Ashby (DF) - Swansea - loan
Garang Kuol (FW) - FC Volendam - loan
Kell Watts (DF) - Wigan - loan
Matty Longstaff (MF) - released
Ciaran Clark (DF) - released

Squad numbers

*Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window

Number	Names
1	Martin Dubravka
2	Kieran Trippier
3	Paul Dummett
4	Sven Botman
5	Fabian Schar
6	Jamaal Lascelles
7	Joelinton
8	Anthony Gordon
9	Callum Wilson
11	Matt Ritchie
13	Matt Targett
14	Alexandar Isak
14	Isaac Hayden
16	Jeff Hendrick
17	Emil Krafth
18	Loris Karius
19	Javier Manquillo
21	Ryan Fraser
22	Nick Pope
23	Jacob Murphy
24	Miguel Almiron
28	Joe Willock
29	Mark Gillespie
30	Harrison Ashby
32	Elliot Anderson
33	Dan Burn
36	Sean Longstaff
39	Bruno Guimaraes

Key players

Bruno Guimaraes helped ignite Newcastle's Saudi-backed project / Stu Forster/GettyImages

Star player

While there have been many factors in Newcastle's rise, some might argue that the addition of Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon in January 2022 was the most significant.

The Brazilian midfielder had offers from Europe's elite when Newcastle came calling, but Guimaraes, persuaded by the club's ambition and a healthy pay packet, opted for St James' Park and neither the club or the player have looked back since.

Such an instrumental figure for Howe's side, Guimaraes would slot into the midfield of every Premier League outfit and Newcastle simply aren't the same side in the Brazilian's absence.

One to watch

The Magpies made a big splash to sign Sandro Tonali from Milan / George Wood/GettyImages

Howe had hoped to free Guimaraes from a holding midfield position, but it remains to be seen whether the addition of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan will do that.

A relentless midfielder who performed superbly when the Rossoneri lifted the Scudetto in 2021, Newcastle were forced to pay a premium to prise Tonali away from his boyhood club this summer.

His attitude, work ethic and dogged determination should see him emerge as a fan's favourite on Tyneside and he seems like a sound systematic fit for Howe's aggressive 4-3-3.

2023/24 kits

Home kit

Newcastle's classic black and white stripes / George Wood/GettyImages

Away kit

A machine in green. 💪

Our 2023/24 away kit is now available to buy in-store and online! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0oXPFFJUR9
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) June 30, 2023

Third kit

New signing Harvey Barnes sporting Newcastle's third kit / Visionhaus/GettyImages

Premier League prediction

While Newcastle have undoubtedly got stronger this summer with the additions of Tonali, Harvey Barnes, and Tino Livramento, it looks like a tough ask for the Magpies to retain their top-four status.

Liverpool's increased strength renders them a distinct threat to Newcastle's top-four chances, while the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham shouldn't be counted out of the race.

While a slight domestic demise wouldn't be a surprise, Howe's side could take the Champions League by storm and perhaps enjoy a deep run in the competition given their fervent home support.