Newcastle now pursuing two surprise deals after Joao Pedro and Marc Guehi blows?

The frustration around our lack of transfer activity is understandable.

Last summer was a mess, we’ve not made a major first team signing for several windows now and we’ve ‘missed out’ on several early targets in Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Bryan Mbeumo.

There is also the added concern that we’ve not made a breakthrough yet, despite Eddie Howe’s “speed is key” message after our final day defeat to Everton at the end of May.

However, despite a few June setbacks, The iPaper insist there is ‘no panic’ on Tyneside, with work ongoing behind the scenes to land two targets that are ‘yet to hit the public domain.’

Mark Douglas reports that Newcastle have ‘cooled’ their interest in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who appears to be Liverpool-bound, and are working on deals for an unnamed defender and ‘Joao Pedro alternative’ now the Brazilian has completed a £55m move to Chelsea.

Not for the first time in recent weeks, this adds to the intrigue around a potential surprise signing or deal we are trying to pull off in secret.

This takes us back to that bombshell move for Sandro Tonali exactly two years ago today, where initial links to Nicolo Barella were suddenly followed by breaking news of the Italian’s arrival from AC Milan in a £55m deal.

At centre-back, Marseille’s Leonardo Balerdi is a new link that went public via The Mail’s Craig Hope on Tuesday, while Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba has been tentatively linked once again this week. But it seems the current option at play is yet to get out.

As for our ‘plan B’ to Joao Pedro, it will be difficult to find a similar profile given the Brazilian’s unique skillset and ability to play up front, our wide or in a deeper role, but Steve Nickson’s scouting and talent ID may come up trumps if we believe an equally exciting overseas alternative exists.

Douglas reports that Newcastle are hoping that names only emerge at a ‘late stage in the deal’, so hopefully we hear nothing until these mystery targets are close to signing on the dotted line at St James’ Park!