Newcastle United have successfully been able to turn their latest Premier League season around after being in and around the relegation zone for the first half of the campaign.
Since January, the Magpies have only lost four games in the league, winning 10 and drawing two.
The January transfer window has turned out to have been a crucial period for the Toon as they brought in a number of new players to help get their campaign back on track.
Now that the summer transfer window is on the horizon, this could give the Tyneside club the opportunity to once again make some changes to their squad that they deem necessary ahead of their first full season with PIF in charge.
One figure with whom the Toon have been linked and who could be a vast upgrade on one of their current squad members is Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma.
According to a recent report from The Mirror, the Mali international is on a list of potential summer transfer targets for the Toon.
In terms of what he could offer Howe’s side in comparison to current Magpies midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, the Brighton monster would be a big upgrade in terms of his defensive talents.
With the pair both playing more than 30 games for their respective clubs in the current league campaign, Bissouma has more tackles, pressures, interceptions, blocks and clearances than the Newcastle man.
On the ball, the 25-year-old has made more passes and racked up a higher pass completion percentage (89.7%) than Shelvey (80.2%).
To further highlight the Brighton star’s capabilities on the ball, he has successfully completed 29 dribbles compared to Shelvey’s nine.
Would you like to see Newcastle sign Bissouma this summer?
Back in September, Bissouma earned hefty praise from Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers, who said of the midfield maestro: “I think he is a top player he does a great job defensively, he can press the game, he is aggressive, he intercepts, he blocks, he tries to get them on the front foot.
“Physically he has good physicality, he gets around the pitch, he is mobile, agile and tactically he looks strong around the game.
“He utilises empty space and technically he is very good, he touches the ball, he passes it, and has good awareness of space.”
Taking all this into account, securing a deal for the £29k-per-week Brighton ace should be at the top of Newcastle’s priorities for the summer transfer window.
In other news: Newcastle eyeing swoop for “cold” £60m machine, he’d be “fabulous” for Howe
