The Magpies rallied towards the end of last season to ensure they stayed well clear of the relegation zone, and will be looking to take their positive momentum into the 2021/22 campaign which gets underway in August.
Meanwhile, ex-Newcastle man Andros Townsend has been reflecting on his time at the club and the demands of the Toon Army, and said: “The fans and their expectation... I wouldn’t say they expect more than what they have, because that is the job of the fans. You want your team to do better.
“It’s the right of the fans to expect (that), and us players are the same. Those Newcastle players will be thinking ‘we are better than 13th, we should be aiming 10th, nine, eight, seventh.
“I never met him (Mike Ashley) – (managing director) Lee Charnley does most of his stuff on a day-to-day basis, but Newcastle is a massive, massive club, and I loved my time at Newcastle.
“Hopefully, they do get back to where they belong, which I think is definitely in the top half of the Premier League.”
Here are today's biggest transfer stories and the latest team news involving Newcastle United and the rest of the Premier League, as the reaction to the summer transfer window activity and build-up to the eagerly-anticipated new season continues:
5. Canaries close in on Gilmour
Norwich City are believed to have agreed a loan fee with Chelsea for their promising midfielder Billy Gilmour, ahead of him joining the Canaries for the 2020/21 season. He impressed in Scotland's Euro 2020 draw with England earlier this month. (Fabrizio Romano - Twitter) Photo: Manu Fernandez - Pool
6. Duo jostle for Januzaj
Brighton and Southampton have both been credited with an interest in ex-Man Utd starlet Adnan Januzaj. He's currently playing his football for La Liga side Real Sociedad, who could be tempted to sell him for a fee close to £7.5m. (Sport Witness) Photo: ANDER GILLENEA
7. Whites could make alternative Nandez offer
Leeds United are rumoured to be negotiating with Cagliari over a move for their midfielder Nahitan Nandez. It is understood that the Whites will struggle to meet the £30m asking price, and could look to secure a loan-to-buy deal for around £25m instead. (Sport Witness) Photo: SILVIO AVILA
8. Gunners could swoop for Bellotti
Arsenal have been tipped to join the race to sign Torino striker Andrea Bellotti, who could be available for less than £30m this summer. Napoli and Roma are also interested in the 27-year-old, whose scored 105 goals in 228 Serie A games for Il Toro. (Tuttosport) Photo: Paolo Bruno