Alexander Isak - £58million
Newcastle supporters have only witnessed their record signing in glimpses since his record-breaking move last summer. An impressive debut at Anfield in August blew fans away but injury has blighted his Toon career so far.
The Swede suffered a thigh injury while on international duty in September and did not return until the FA Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday earlier this month. Eddie Howe has restricted Isak to cameos from the bench but fans are clamouring for more as he is already having a devastating impact.
A last-minute winner to dispatch Fulham was not enough for the Toon boss to throw him into the side against Crystal Palace or Southampton. However, in the Carabao Cup tie with the latter, Isak proved the difference.
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Within five minutes of his introduction, the 23-year-old spun Duje Caleta-Car and put it on a plate for Joelinton to tap home the winner. The pressure is heating up on Howe to start his £58million man.
Anthony Gordon - £45million
ChronicleLive first reported Newcastle’s interest in Gordon last year. Chelsea were also reportedly monitoring his situation but he stayed at Everton until January.
The price tag has raised eyebrows as, at £45million, the 21-year-old became the 10th most expensive Englishman ever - despite failing to earn an international cap. A disastrous campaign for the Toffees could end in relegation, with the club sitting 19th and two points adrift from safety.
Gordon faces a challenge to break into the Newcastle side as Howe has played Joelinton and Miguel Almiron out wide since the World Cup break. Allan Saint-Maximin, another winger, will provide competition for the Liverpool native.
Joelinton - £40million
Joelinton’s first two seasons saw him viewed as a Premier League laughing stock. It quickly became clear that donning the number nine shirt and scoring goals was not his forte.
At one point, a move to Turkey appeared on the cards to end his Newcastle nightmare. Few - if any - Toon fans would accept the reported £15million valuation now.
And that is all down to Mr Howe.
A dominant display in midfield against Norwich City, with the Magpies down to 10 men, triggered a lightbulb moment for the Newcastle boss. From then on, Joelinton has become a fans’ favourite at St James’ Park and one of the first names on Howe’s team sheet.
4. Bruno Guimaraes- £35million
Unlike Joelinton, Guimaraes hit the ground running from day one. A stunning backheel winner in his first full start away at Southampton made the midfielder an instant cult hero.
Despite playing just 34 top-flight games, there are already suggestions that Guimaraes could be Newcastle’s best midfielder of the Premier League era. The 25-year-old has been integral in everything positive since the Saudi-backed takeover.
Under previous ownership, clubs would have sniffed around the Brazilian and likely nabbed him from Tyneside this month. However, this is a new dawn, and Newcastle enjoys a new-found attraction - meaning Bruno is here to stay.
5. Sven Botman - £32million
The Botman saga proved United chiefs are prepared to play the long game to ensure getting their man. A precarious league position last January made it difficult to persuade one of Europe’s top prospects to join a new, ambitious project.
AC Milan - the eventual Serie A champions - were also sniffing around the Dutchman. But the persistence paid off when Botman completed his big-money move to St James’ Park the following June.
As it stands, the 23-year-old is yet to lose a game in black-and-white stripes. That remarkable feat highlights how influential he has been to Newcastle’s heroics in 2022-23.
Like Guimaraes, Botman’s time on Tyneside would likely have a short life span without Saudi ownership. However, supporters are already envisaging another decade of the 6ft 5in colossus.
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