Transfer window verdict : Are Newcastle United stronger now? | OneFootball

Now that the transfer window has slammed shut, Newcastle United fans are left to chew over the summer’s business.

Eddie Howe made it clear back in June: he wanted quality and needed to strengthen the squad with the right players.

On that front, the message was clear, upgrades, not just bodies.

But now that the dust has settled, and Alexander Isak has been sold, it’s hard not to ask the question: has this been a good transfer window?

Let’s break it down.

The departures : Alexander Isak overshadowing everything

It’s impossible to start anywhere else.

Isak’s sale to Liverpool was a gut punch, not just because of the player he is, but the timing and the fee. With other big clubs already filling their striker needs, we lacked a proper bidding war and sold for far less than we expected. A player of his calibre should’ve commanded a premium. Instead, we let go of our best attacker in what feels like a weak negotiation.

The arrivals: Potential and depth but questions remain

Anthony Elanga

Pacy, direct, and full of raw potential. But let’s be real, Elanga’s output doesn’t yet match what Jacob Murphy gave us last season. Murphy contributed more goals and assists, and while Elanga is younger and still developing, he’s coming in as more of a long-term project than a guaranteed starter. His upside is promising, but we need end product now, especially after losing Isak.

Malick Thiaw

The German centre-back brings real physical presence and composure on the ball, but it’s his recovery pace that stands out, something our defence lacked last season.

While not explosive, he covers ground quickly and could help us play a higher line more safely. With Champions League experience and the right profile for Howe’s system, Thiaw has the tools to grow into a key player, even if he needs time to settle.

Aaron Ramsdale

Premier League level goalkeeper to compete with Nick Pope, with the challenge of four competitions this season.

Jacob Ramsey

A proper bit of business. Ramsey arrives from Aston Villa with Premier League experience and the ability to play box-to-box or further forward. He won’t displace Bruno or Joelinton straight away, but he offers tactical flexibility and energy, exactly what you want with four competitions ahead.

Yoane Wissa

At nearly 29, Wissa isn’t a long-term investment, but he’s coming off a fantastic season, 19 Premier League goals.

He’s quick, works hard, and can play across the front three. Yes, we’ve likely overpaid, but goals are goals and if he fires us into Europe again, or helps lift a trophy, he’ll be worth every penny.

Nick Woltemade

The 6’6″ German striker looked sharp for the U21s, particularly in the games against England. He’ll need time to adjust to the pace and intensity of the Premier League, but expect him to become a regular option off the bench while he finds his feet.

Let’s hope Eddie Howe and his coaching staff can bring out the best in him, mould him into another top class striker in black and white.

The targets that got away

The most frustrating part of this window isn’t just the sale of Alexander Isak, it’s the long list of targets we missed out on.

Some opted for higher wages elsewhere, or had their eyes on clubs they saw as more “established” top-six sides, whether that’s true or not is up for debate. Others simply weren’t for sale. The result? A window that, in a few key areas, feels like it landed on Plan C.

There’s no denying the recruitment team worked hard, but there’s also no hiding from the fact, that we didn’t land many of our priority targets. That inevitably takes some of the shine off the business we did do. The ongoing absence of a permanent CEO and Sporting Director must have played a part too, it’s hard to compete at the top level without that kind of leadership and structure in place during a critical transfer window.

Final transfer window verdict: A better squad maybe but has the starting eleven improved?

That’s harder to judge.

Losing Isak is undoubtedly a blow, in terms of star power and that bit of magic he could produce out of nowhere. But there’s also an argument to be made that we’ve added greater balance, versatility, and depth across the pitch.

If Wissa can hit the ground running and Elanga develops quickly, we might find that the collective output makes up for what we’ve lost individually.

It’s a shift from relying on brilliance to building a more well-rounded unit, and over the course of a long, demanding season, that could actually work in our favour.

It might not feel like an upgrade just yet, but with the right development and momentum, it just might prove to be one.