The three major signings Newcastle could still agree this summer - including £60m Isak replacement
The players that Newcastle United could sign at the end of a difficult transfer window.
Perhaps no team in the Premier League has endured a more difficult transfer window than Newcastle United. They’ve seen key targets choose to join rival clubs, failed to secure signings in several positions, and perhaps worse still remain uncertain as to whether Alexander Isak will ever play for them again - but will the impending arrival of Nick Woltemade be the start of a flurry of positive moves to finish the summer?
So much of the positivity of last season dissipated under the weight of all the summer’s disappointments but there is still time for the club to set things right, and there are still plenty of players on their shortlist as they work to provide Eddie Howe with a team fit to compete in the Champions League, and the addition of Woltemade ticks a major box.
There’s still work to be done, however, so here are the three players who seem most likely to be on the way to St. James’ Park before Monday’s transfer deadline passes based on current reporting – although given the way Newcastle’s window has gone so far, it’s fair to assume there will be some more twists and turns yet to come…
Davide Frattesi - Inter Milan
While a midfielder hasn’t been Newcastle’s first priority this window, they have been keeping an eye on the transfer market following the loss of Sean Longstaff, who left for Leeds United – and some reports suggest that a bid for Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi is on the way.
Gianluca Di Marzio claims that talks are underway between the two sides, with a fee in the region of £35m mooted - although it’s suggested that differences of opinion as to whether Frattesi moves on an initial loan deal or permanently are proving difficult to overcome.
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The 25-year-old’s all-action playing style should suit Howe’s tactics, but it’s unlikely that Newcastle pay over the odds for him – with the addition of a midfielder considered ideal but not essential, this is a deal that will only take place if the structure works for the Magpies.
There could yet be other midfielders on the shortlist – Football365 journalist Jason Soutar claims that the Magpies have spoken to Manchester United about the terms of a possible deal for Kobbie Mainoo, although that seems highly improbable to take place – but the links to Frattesi are the strongest and a deal remains entirely plausible.
Jørgen Strand Larsen - Wolves
The good news for Newcastle is that they’ve finally found a striker who want to play for them – the bad news is that if Isak leaves then they still need one more, and finding another forward may prove to be easier said than done. Newcastle may be forced to break the bank to get both of the players they need over the line.
Strand Larsen has supposedly told Wolves that he would like to move to St. James’ Park, only to find out that his club don’t care to sell him. Offers of £50m and £55m have already been knocked back and while there is likely to be a price point at which Wolves would find that their arm had been twisted, it may take a lot of money to get there and Newcastle’s willingness to stretch the budget is yet to be determined.
Strand Larsen, for his part, is not expected to make any attempt to force a move, which won’t help Newcastle’s cause. Much may hinge on whether Isak gets his big-money move to Anfield – were that to happen, Newcastle might be prepared to take the plunge.
Yoane Wissa - Brentford
While Newcastle are keen to land Strand Larsen, however, they would still prefer to bring Wissa in if they can – but it’s a deal which has eluded them so far despite the Congolese forward’s attempts to persuade Brentford to sell.
Wissa has returned to training but Keith Andrews continues to avoid selecting him while the possibility of a transfer hangs over the club’s head. The Bees are supposedly demanding £60m, half as much again as Newcastle have been prepared to offer so far, but there’s clearly some expectation of one last bid.
Helping matters somewhat, the Newcastle Chronicle have reported that Brentford’s interest in Borussia Dortmund striker Max Beier could “unlock” a late deal for Wissa, much as Woltemade’s arrival should grease the wheels of Isak’s exit. Like Strand Larsen, Wissa is unquestionably interested in making the transfer while his proven goalscoring record in the Premier League means that Newcastle may feel compelled to accede to Brentford’s demands eventually.
There are other strikers who could end up heading to Newcastle but the club are wary of Chelsea’s scattershot Nicolas Jackson and view Porto’s Samu Aghehowa as being overpriced – but necessity will ultimately force their hand in one direction or another.