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?
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.
