Newcastle United and Eddie Howe have upset the odds this season – they have qualified for Europe, usurping several clubs in the proverbial ‘big six’ along the way.

However, the Toon have no time to rest on their laurels. They have a pivotal summer ahead of them – if they wish to qualify for the Champions League again next season, they will need to add quality depth to their lineup.

We’ll be taking a look at the positions Newcastle need to invest in – then, we’ll suggest a couple of players who they could add to their squad in the summer.

Positions Newcastle need to invest in

One position, above all others, stands out – left back. While Dan Burn has done an admirable job there this season, he shouldn’t be viewed as a long term solution.

Additionally, Newcastle’s other left backs – Jamal Lewis, Matt Targett and Paul Dummett – are simply not good enough to compete in Europe’s leading competition.

With rumours of Allan Saint-Maximin departing the Toon in the summer, it may also be wise to invest in a winger. Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy have led stellar individual campaigns, but the Mags will need more than just these two when they have European fixtures to think about.

Who they should sign

Newcastle, given their vast financial resources, have a huge pool of players to choose from. As such, with Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba set to leave the Nou Camp, we think that St. James’ Park could be a great next destination for him.

Out wide, we think Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes could prove to be a wise investment. The former West Bromwich Albion loanee looks set to depart the King Power Stadium in the summer – whether the Foxes get relegated or not.

Should Leicester avoid the drop, he would command a higher fee – but as mentioned, money is no concern to Newcastle at this point.