Indeed, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was keen to stress that message during Saturday’s Carabao Cup celebrations, making clear the fact that the season was not yet finished.
Newcastle have already qualified for the Conference League but reaching the Champions League again is a possibility.
Howe’s side sit sixth in the Premier League table but the top five could be enough to secure entry into Europe’s elite club competition.
Once the season is done, it’s time to start looking at potential summer recruits.
Newcastle think they are in a healthy PSR position, which should hopefully lead to more signings this summer.
With that in mind, developments in regard to reported target Ademola Lookman are interesting.
Newcastle United target Ademola Lookman hands in transfer request
Newcastle are interested in Lookman, who has recently had something of a falling out with Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
Gasperini slated the Nigerian international’s penalty record after the 27-year-old missed a spot-kick during a Champions League clash against Club Brugge last month.
The Italian even went as far to say, “he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen”, only a few months after his stunning hat-trick won them the Europa League against Bayer Leverkusen.
Now, according to The Chronicle, the former Fulham player has told the Italian club he is looking to leave before the start of next season.
Ademola Lookman was voted one of the best players in the world
Only a few months ago, Lookman was named the 2024 African Player of the Year at the Confederation of African Football Awards, succeeding compatriot Victor Osimhen.
That capped off a remarkable few months for the forward, who can operate both as a second striker or a right-winger.
Voted the best player from the African continent just months after his Europa League masterclass, he was riding the crest of a wave until the penalty fiasco.
Out of contract in the summer of 2026 anyway, perhaps Newcastle should act while they can. Rival interest could be fierce but chances to sign players of Lookman’s stature without truly breaking the bank may not come around very often.
