Last week we finally saw a major signing arrive on Tyneside, as Anthony Elanga completed a £52m move that could rise to £55m.
More are needed and Sky Sports’ North East reporter Keith Downie has hinted at exactly that in an update on the Toon transfer front.
Speaking on his Youtube channel, he’s not only received word that more quality additions “are set to join”, suggesting the Elanga breakthrough could be the first of many, but also offered a promising message on James Trafford, who is nowhere to be seen in any of Burnley’s photos from a pre-season trip to Portugal.
Downie states that despite Newcastle and Burnley previously haggling over a £10m gap in valuation, he believes a deal for the 22-year-old goalkeeper “will get done.”
See what he had to say below, touching on PIF’s involvement to push through the Elanga signing, our lack of man power in transfer negotiations, our striker plans and Trafford:
Downie’s promising transfer tip-off
“The information I’m being given is ‘more good players are set to join’. That’s the wording I’ve been hearing,” said Downie.
“There are having to do one deal at a time, because there isn’t a huge amount of people working on it. No sporting director, essentially no chief executive (Darren Eales) at the moment, so they are really having to spread the load.”
“Yes they are looking at other players and making enquiries, but once they strike a deal and a player comes in, they can only do one at a time.”
“I understand PIF had a big role to play in the Elanga deal, but there aren’t many bodies to do the work (with no sporting director at the club).”
Striker next and Trafford to sign?
“My information is Newcastle’s next priority will be to bring in a striker. The goalkeeper situation is bubbling along in the background and I expect the Trafford deal to get done,” Downie said.
“But I still think there is a gap (on valuation). A £10m gap between Newcastle and Burnley. The deal still isn’t done yet, but I think that’s bubbling away and will get done.”
With a striker, centre-back and a goalkeeper still priorities we must address ahead of the 2025/26 season, hopefully we see another arrival soon as the players head to Austria for a training camp this week before Saturday’s clash with Celtic.
Hogwash ., just because Paul Mitchell is not in person does not mean they have few folk to deal with business he managed a large number of staff who are still in situ ., joke media article
Mike(Quote)
Like I have said before we will get at least 3 more in and maybe 4 or 5 out before window closes. Centre back most important in my view as lack of pace at the moment. PATIENCE…
Brian Emmerson(Quote)
A nothing article, just regurgitated speculation that has been going on for days and weeks.
Joseph(Quote)
This is old news now!
In fact over a week to give it its time frame.
Things have went quiet again so…
X.Y,WHY,MAN.(Quote)
2 days ago is not ‘over a week’ – See below when it was posted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UqYrCUe8uY
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
The Centre Back signing is an absolute priority before any other position. I could say sign two! Keeping clean sheets comes first. Too many heavy defeats last season, letting in 4/5 goals in games!
Peter Beaumont(Quote)
No good speculating who’s coming and going . Things change at the blink of an eye . Nothing is real until they sign and their wearing the shirt
Jean Gardner(Quote)