Key factors make up Howe's transfer lists

WHAT do a Cumbrian, a Swede and a Brazilian all have in common? On the surface, not a lot.

- By CIARAN KELLY Football writer

However, Newcastle United's attempts to sign James Trafford, Anthony Elanga and Joao Pedro tell us a lot about the club's transfer strategy this summer.

The trio are all under the age of 24, they have all got Premier League experience, and they have all been long-term targets of Eddie Howe's.

Newcastle's pursuits of Trafford and Elanga were well-documented last summer, but the club's interest in Pedro goes back even further.

Newcastle had previously been in talks to sign Pedro three years ago during the Brazilian’s time at Watford. The Journal reported that discussions were ‘moving well’ at one stage but, crucially, they were ‘not closed.

An agreement was not ultimately reached with Watford and Callum Wilson went on to suffer a hamstring issue, which changed Newcastle’s immediate focus when it came to the profile of attacker the Magpies were targeting.