The calm before the storm – Big signings coming soon at Newcastle United?

Newcastle United have started the summer with four signings. We’ve triggered Lewis Hall’s £28m permanent move, secured a very handy free transfer in Lloyd Kelly and brought in two back-up goalkeepers in Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy.

All make sense in their own way, but it’s fair to say our summer is yet to take off. However, with last month’s PSR scramble out of the way, Minteh and Anderson sold and major tournaments finally coming to an end following the Euro and Copa America finals on Sunday, I fully expect things to pick up over the next week or two.

We’ve kept spending to a minimum so far, with three of our four buys arriving without a transfer fee, but we’re one month away from the 2024/25 season kicking off and still at least three key signings short heading into a huge campaign for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.

The window always picks up from July onwards, but the completion of Euro 2024 and Copa America could be a catalyst for activity, not to mention the fact new sporting director Paul Mitchell is now on Tyneside and finalising transfer plans before we make formal moves.

A young, right-sided centre-back able to push Fabian Schar is wanted – and needed with Jamaal Lascelles still recovering from an ACL. A right-winger is the big one to offer an upgrade on Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy and should take up the majority of our summer budget, while a striker to keep Alexander Isak on his toes is the other one to watch, with Callum Wilson tipped to depart now he’s entered the final 12 months of his contract.

It’s been a quiet two weeks since June ended with that chaotic PSR scramble that saw us sell Minteh and Anderson, but this very much feels like the calm before the storm as Newcastle enter a crucial stage of the summer window and opportunity to land key targets in good time for the new season, with Howe always keen to blood in new recruits well before the campaign kicks off.

Malick Thiaw is a leading target at centre-back as Newcastle look to capitalise on long-term interest and his slight dip in value from a mixed 2023/24 season.

A host of names have been mentioned in our right-winger search. I’m expecting a surprise to crop up soon on that front, while links to Jonathan David make total sense, with the Lille striker not only someone we’ve tracked for several seasons but becoming available at a cut-price fee this summer now he’s entered the final 12 months of his current deal.

I wouldn’t rule out the signing of another midfielder – Anderson has been sold, Miley facing three months out and Longstaff’s situation remains slightly up in the air – but I think we can expect to see some movement in our hunt for a centre-back and right-winger in the next week or two, with the futures of Almiron and Wilson also an area of focus.

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

9 thoughts on “The calm before the storm – Big signings coming soon at Newcastle United?

  1. Thiaw & David would be great additions imo. There have been numerous names suggested for RWF im completely lost off now – but get those 2 in for starters & id be happy.

      (Quote)

  2. I agree with the sentiment of this article, it really does feel like the calm.before the storm.

    Losses: Staveley and Mehrded (gut punch to all fans, minteh, local boy Anderson. All the gossip that’s attacked our ambition and squad harmony, by unsettling Gordon.

    Gains: x3 freebies and a player we technically bought a year ago.

    Our new ownership is too ambitious and proud to just slink into next year. There will be some big moves, at least one Tonali level signing. I’m being patient, but these gossip connections are so frustrating.

      (Quote)

  3. I read “calm before the storm” in the headline and thought “here we go again!”
    Then I thought about it.
    We had a few players out with injuries.
    Then we had Tonali.
    Then we squeezed past the post on the FFP, setting off a new 3 year cycle so plenty to spend!!! Though if I’m honest, I initially believed it was a rolling 3 year cycle, and if that’s the case we’re in limbo again, because in 20/21 we had a net spend of only 40 million. Correct me if I’m wrong!
    While this has the potential to be a decent window I wouldn’t write off moves for Bruno, Isak or Gordon. If the price is right!

      (Quote)

  4. Chris:
    Botman won’t be replaced.He’s absolute class

    Typo there. Meant to say new RCB will be to eventually replace Schar and be a long-term partner for Botman

      (Quote)

  5. It sounds like Newcastle United’s transfer activity is just getting started, with key signings still needed to bolster the squad for the upcoming season. The focus on a right-winger, a center-back, and a striker highlights the club’s ambition to strengthen crucial areas, and the anticipation for more moves as the summer window progresses is palpable.

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *