These are exciting times to be a Newcastle United fan, with the club extending their unbeaten start to the Premier League season by drawing 3-3 with Manchester City, securing progress in the Carabao Cup, and plotting some serious moves in the transfer market.
Eddie Howe made building from the back his priority early in the window, with the signing of goalkeeper Nick Pope already looking to be an inspired addition from Burnley.
Defenders Sven Botman and Matt Targett also arrived, but Howe is still looking for more reinforcements and Newcastle are now focussed on signing attacking talent with a week to go before the window shuts.
The club have now smashed their transfer record, but who else could be arriving at Newcastle before the window closes?
Whether Callum Wilson’s hamstring injury was a factor or not, Newcastle went big in their search for a striker and have completed the club record signing of Alexander Isak in a £58m deal from Real Sociedad.
“He has pace, technical ability, dribbling ability, he has got a bit of X-factor about him,” Howe said of Isak and the qualities he is set to bring. “He is slightly different and I think he is capable of scoring goals.”
Isak’s representatives arrived in England on Wednesday to discuss terms ahead of a deal that breaks Newcastle’s transfer record, previously set when they signed Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon in January.
“I’m delighted to have it done. It was a big, big decision for me but it is a decision I am really happy with,” Isak said.
“It is a great, historical club that I think anyone would like to play for, with amazing fans. They were a big part of why I came here - and also the club’s project, which is one that I really believe in.
Joao Pedro
Newcastle have made an improved bid of £30m for Watford forward Joao Pedro as talks between the clubs continue. Sky Sports News report that Watford rejected Newcastle’s opening offer of £15m for the 20-year-old, but the Hornets have yet to respond to the second bid.
Pedro has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs, including Everton Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Leicester City, while Newcastle have also been linked the Brazilian’s Watford teammate Ismaila Saar. Aston Villa are currently favourites to sign the Senegal international.
Newcastle were strongly linked with a move for Leciester’s James Maddison earlier this month but have yet to reignite their interest after the Foxes rejected an improved bid of around £50m for the midfielder.
Leicester are reportedly holding out for £60m for the England international, according to the Guardian, while the Foxes also stand firm amid Chelsea’s interest in defender Wesley Fofana.
Newcastle were also linked with Leicester winger Harvey Barnes earlier in the window but no formal offer has been made, as we await to see whether they will go back in with a third offer for Maddison before the window closes.
Bruno Guimaraes
Casemiro’s transfer from Real Madrid to Manchester United triggered reports that the Spanish club would make a move for Newcastle’s own Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who had caught the eye of the Spanish club following his performances since arriving from Lyon in January.
However, Eddie Howe has been adamant that Guimaraes is not for sale and Real Madrid look to be happy enough with their options so are unlikely to make a formal offer.
The Newcastle goalkeeper has seen his role reduced to back-up by Nick Pope’s arrival from Burnley, and the Slovakia international was left out of Howe’s squad that faced Preston in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday amid reports that he was in talks with a shock move to Manchester United.
Dubravka is seen as an alternative to Kevin Trapp and Yann Sommer, who United had pushed for in order to provide competition for David de Gea following the departure of Dean Henderson to Nottingham Forest. The 33-year-old remains in talks with United ahead of the move.
