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Alexander Isak’s future at St James’ Park remains uncertain and Newcastle have endured a difficult summer transfer window on the whole.

Aside from their leading marksman angling for a move throughout the summer, Newcastle’s ambitions in the transfer window have been consistently stunted as the club keep missing out on key targets.

Eddie Howe has been Newcastle manager since 2021 (Credit: Imago)

Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, and Malick Thiaw have all arrived at Newcastle this summer, bolstering Howe’s options as the former Bournemouth manager looks to build on the Magpies’ first silverware in 70 years following their Carabao Cup win in February.

Speaking in a Q&A for BBC Sport (19 August), chief football writer Phil McNulty backed Howe to succeed despite their tricky summer of dealings, writing: “If they can sign Wissa and get another done then that is very good business, but losing Isak would be a big blow.

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“Trust Eddie Howe, though, as he seems well in control of everything and Newcastle still have some very fine players.”

Anthony Elanga joined Newcastle from Nottingham Forest this summer (Credit Imago)

McNulty praised the business the club have carried out to date, adding: “I think Newcastle have actually done some good business so far, bringing in Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa.

“Elanga played a big role in Forest reaching Europe, while I really like Ramsey.

He was very popular with Villa fans as a local product and I bet Villa were very reluctant sellers.

“They have also brought in defender Malick Thiaw from AC Milan, but there is no getting away from the fact Isak’s discontent – and his behaviour – has cast a shadow.”

Football Insider verdict

The loudest news surrounding Newcastle this summer has largely been based around players who they haven’t brought in or the behaviour of tjeir star striker as Isak pursues a move away from Newcastle.

Elanga provides a quick and direct alternative to Jacob Murphy on the right flank and paired with Harvey Barnes on the left, Newcastle pack a punch on the counter-attack, while the technical quality of Anthony Gordon can be deployed on either wing as well.

While Howe will likely continue to build his team around their robust defensive structure and hit teams on the counter attack the lack of a clinical talisman will continue to haunt Newcastle until a solution is found one way or another.

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