Confident Magpies Begin Summer Transfer Saga

Newcastle United, currently facing a relegation battle under club legend Alan Shearer are said to be so confident of staying up this season that scouting for new recruitments for next season has already been intensified.

In an exclusive preview of United's summer transfer saga, Bleacher Report is proud to reveal the players Big Al is willing to bring in, to rebuild his beloved Toon.

1. Michael Johnson (Manchester City)

The 21-year-old Manchester City ace was a target for the Magpies in the January transfer window, with Alan Shearer keen to resurrect the deal once the summer window reopens. The fee is believed to be £8 million for the England U21 International.

Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspurs)

The 22-year-old tough-tackling midfielder is a £6 million summer target for the Toon, who see him as a long-term successor to veteran Nicky Butt.

Kyle Naughton (Sheffield United)

20-year-old right-back Kyle Naughton is said to be attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, with Newcastle United particularly keen to snap up the talented youngster. £3 million is believed to be enough to secure a transfer.

Daniel Fox (Coventry City)

22-year-old left-back Daniel Fox is also attracting interest from the Toon, with club scouts watching him closely over the past three months. Coventry City want £3 million for the talented full-back, but United are preparing a £2 million bid.

Kris Commons (Derby County)

Scotland International Kris Commons, 25, was a January target for the Magpies, with United keeping tabs on him since. £4 million is the fee Derby County want for their midfield ace, but the Toon will hope to conclude the deal for half that price.

Michael Kightly (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

23-year-old right-sided midfielder Michael Kightly is also set to be the subject of a bid from Newcastle United come the summer. The energetic wingman was a target for Joe Kinnear in January, and has also caught the eye of current boss Alan Shearer. £5 million is sufficient to attract Wolves, who will settle for no less, it has been revealed.

Elano Blumer (Manchester City)

27-year-old Elano Blumer is a player admired by United bosses for a long time, and a summer bid for the player has been looming since the transfer window slammed shut last time. Even though he has pledged to 'stay a long time' at the Eastlands, Mark Hughes is yet to give him his seal of approval following a spirited comeback by the Brazilian for the Manchester-based club.

City would, in all likelihood, sell the player for an established 'superstar' in the summer, but the club will settle for nothing less than £8 million for their prized midfielder, it is being said.

Simon Cox (Swindon Town)

The 21-year-old Swindon Town ace has been watched by Newcastle United scouts for much of 2009, and his impressive form has also caught the eye of Assistant Manager Iain Dowie. £3 million is a fee being touted by the Robins.

James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion)

22-year-old James Morrison, a former Middlesbrough player, is also on the Magpies' books, with a £4 million transfer on the cards.

Nani (Manchester United)

Alan Shearer's most ambitious plan to date, the former Magpies striker wants at least one 'superstar' in the team, and has identified 22-year-old Portuguese winger Nani as the final piece in his rebuilding scheme. Big Al is prepared to offer as much as £10 million for the Old Trafford man who has failed to settle in Manchester since his celebrated £15 million move to United in 2007.