Newcastle United Transfers: 7 Summer Targets to Get the Toon in the Top Four

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High-flying Newcastle United seem to have hit a bump in the road in their attempts to reach the Champions League by the end of the 2011-12 campaign.

With two recent losses conceding 5 goals, Newcastle appear to be punching ever-so-slightly above their weight.

There's always next season, though, and if Newcastle don't quite make it this year, I've outlined seven summer transfers that could make sure they do in the 2012-13 season.

Aly Cissokho

Not even a week removed from a five-goal loss against Tottenham, defenders are set to dominate this article.

First up is Aly Cissokho, a player who Newcastle were rumoured to have been trying to sign not only in January, but last summer as well.

The Lyon defender would provide good competition with Danny Simpson for the right-back role, a position that has been highlighted as a weak spot in recent weeks.

In fact, Simpson has yet to sign his new contract on Tyneside, so what we could see is Cissokho acting as a straight-up replacement for the defender.

Junior Hoilett

Gabriel Obertan has come under fire all season for his poor performances, and with Pardew unwilling to play the more talented but equally inconsistent Hatem Ben Arfa, right midfield becomes a big need for Newcastle heading into the summer.

Blackburn may be forced to give away a number of their star players if they face the drop come season's end, and that's where Newcastle can step in.

Young winger Junior Hoilett has been with Blackburn since the age of 13, and his stock has grown incredibly over the last 8 years.

The Canadian star could fit in nicely on the right for Newcastle and could be available for any value around £5 million, a fair price to pay to elevate the team into the greatest club competition in the world. 

Nathaniel Clyne

Nathaniel Clyne was one of two Crystal Palace starlets linked with Newcastle in January (with the other being striker Wilfried Zaha) but—with the signing of Papiss Cisse—Clyne is the only one whom the Magpies still have a need for.

Clyne is an up-and-coming player who Palace will be desperate to keep in Croydon but, eventually, it's inevitable that a big club will pick him up.

Newcastle could be that club and he'd be a perfect fit rounding off the back four, the only challenge will be holding off the other elite opposition in acquiring his services.

Adrian Mariappa

Bids were flying in from Newcastle in January for this Watford stand-out, but to no avail.

The defender should still remain on the Toons' radar going forward, though, as he could be the perfect player to provide depth for oft-injured centre-half Steven Taylor.

Mariappa is by no means a Champions League quality player, but over the course of a Premier League season he may well contribute to getting the club there.

Eljero Elia

Dutch-international Eljero Elia, although still a relatively recent signing for Juventus, has had little playing time in Italy and could find himself on the move when summer approaches.

Elia was reportedly a loan target for the Toon only a few weeks ago and there could be mutual interest as Juve look to cut their losses and Elia tries to find a way back into the Netherlands' starting XI.

Elia would fill a big need out on the right and—if he meets his potential—he could establish himself as one of the EPL's best young wingers.

Florent Malouda

Florent Malouda is a bit of a wild card pick here but, as a player who has played Champions League-quality football as recently as this season, he could make a big impact on Tyneside.

As a winger, Malouda could be the perfect upgrade over Obertan by adding more consistency and experience while keeping the same basic skills.

With Chelsea looking to get younger, Malouda could certainly be available on the transfer market. The main problem for Newcastle will instead be the likely high asking price and the fact that Malouda may look to head home to France.

Keeping Demba Ba!

Demba Ba has undoubtedly been Newcastle's very best player all season long.

Scoring 16 goals to date, Ba has been nothing short of a marksman for the Magpies and keeping hold of him come summer time could be a tough task for Alan Pardew.

Signing Papiss Cisse was a good move to entice Ba to stay, but the promise of riches and European football elsewhere could be enough to pry Ba from Newcastle's hands.

One thing is certain for Newcastle next season: without Demba Ba there will be no Champions League football.