Eddie Howe warned this summer would be a “difficult” window before he left for a summer holiday juggling deal-making with family down time.
So it is proving. Top targets are proving elusive, like Michael Olise. Players have chosen to go elsewhere like Tosin Adarabioyo, and the far from universally popular pursuit of Dominic Calvert-Lewin called off because of the inflated £37m price. Young unfulfilled talent is also being put up for sale or offered as deal make-weights.
So what do we know so far about Newcastle United’s efforts to turn a squad that finished seventh last season into top six, or even top four, challengers again?
Do they have much cash to spend? Has the squad gone stale? Will there be surprise, star-name departures? Will the club with the richest owners be able to get any extra muscle on the pitch to challenge for a trophy?
With the third anniversary of the Saudi takeover up in October, and 16 months after club chief Amanda Staveley said Newcastle would win everything, will this be a transformational summer? Or a slow burn, another appeal for patience, and a prayer that Eddie Howe can work a coaching miracle again to rival the elite?
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Financial firepower?
Newcastle have the capacity to land one big name. They are not shopping in the elite market of top Euro, ready-made stars. How could they when they do not have Champions League, or any, European football to offer? And despite rapid wage inflation at St James’ Park in the last two years, the Magpies still fall well short of what the top dogs can pay players.
An unsuccessful bid to sign Michael Olise from Crystal Palace suggests Howe has scope to land one big fish in the £60m bracket, like Sandro Tonali last season or Alexander Isak, but that looks like the transfer ceiling, at a push.
Bruno Guimaraes waves to Newcastle fans after the last game of the season at Brentford (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)Major reshuffle?
After two years of building and stability, Newcastle need a refresh, which means several stars have run their race on Tyneside and are on the way out. But will they be happy to sacrifice their stable lives and go elsewhere?
Slovakia’s Euros keeper Martin Dubravka, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson all face uncertain futures but are not easy to offload early in this window. Will Almiron go to Saudi as was lined up in January and rejected. Will someone take a £10m gamble on Wilson’s fitness record versus his goals guarantee?
Kieran Trippier’s age means he could be up for grabs given a replacement in Tino Livramento is already on the books.
Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak, eyed by Arsenal both look likely to stay, with the Brazilian’s release clause of £100m expiring this week, although what is stopping a rival like Man City bidding lower in the coming weeks? Isak is priced out of a move at £120m-plus and no rival can afford him. A good window would be to keep these two and refresh around the edges, especially right wing.
Yankuba Minteh spent last season on loan at Feyenoord (Getty Images)Urgent June sell off?
Newcastle have until next Sunday night to cash in on a player or two and keep themselves within their Financial Fair Play limits.
This is unfortunate. In an ideal world Howe would want to take a good look at Yankuba Minteh in pre-season, after the promise he showed on loan at Feyenoord last season. But he is an obvious, very profitable asset to sell to help the accountants meet Premier League rules. Talks with Everton have collapsed but others will move in including Lyon, Dortmund, Marseille and Roma and he seems almost certain to depart this week.
But it is not just Minteh. Elliot Anderson could find himself well down the midfield pecking order when everyone is fit, and could be sold. But the local lad wants to stay and extend his contract. He could be a victim of United not having qualified for the Europa Conference League, where he’d have got games.
Sean Longstaff is also a “pure profit” sale who could raise £25-30m, after getting grief from some fans last season. Can he take United to the next level or is it time for a new adventure? I like his running power, grounded presence, and think having Geordies in the squad is important.
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Spending big money on the right wing
Newcastle need an upgrade in the right wing position. It is the one to watch where the club will spend big. Top option? In my opinion Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White is the hard running, clever, young, ultra talented star to pursue, and he has been on the club’s radar for a couple of windows.
Jarrod Bowen is a strong option adding directness and goals, but they’d be buying at his peak and why would West Ham sell to a close upper-midtable rival?
Morgan Gibbs-White is a target for the MagpiesNewcastle have a strong interest in Crysencio Summerville at Leeds. The Yorkshire club need to sell quickly and he could be a bargain at £40m. The Dutch star, 22, bagged 21 goals in a promotion bid last season and he could also cover the central striker position. His age is also good and he can improve so it is one to watch closely.
United have, rather controversially, already committed around £30m on Lewis Hall who will join from Chelsea, as part of his loan deal from last season. A huge amount to lay down for a big talent who still has lots to learn at left back.
Lloyd Kelly has arrived on a free transfer in a great deal to cover left back and left centre back, which is a position that needs further strengthening with Sven Botman’s out until November.
James Trafford is likely to get the chance to challenge Nicky Pope, which means there must be concerns about his recurrent shoulder injury.
Howe will also need to find a secondary striker should Wilson go. Can they get on cheap enough to guarantee Wilson’s 10-plus goals a league season?
Jarrod Bowen of England during the UEFA Euro 2024 match between Denmark and England (Bagu Blanco)There are dilemmas everywhere you turn for Howe. There’s a limited budget that top rivals can easily match, and little scope for a mistake at this stage of the rebuild.
There’s a need to reboot, but also maintain squad cohesion. There’s a need to be ruthless, but also a need for experience and leadership.
There is no director of football in place, with Dan Ashworth on gardening leave in a wrangle with Manchester United.
The workload on Howe and his transfer team will be intense, as is the pressure great to get it right.
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