Newcastle’s transfer window began as many others have done, with the release of second-team players such as Callum Wilson and Isaac Hayden.
This also came with the signing of four players deemed to progress the level of the newly promoted UCL (UEFA Champions League) side, including right winger Anthony Elanga and defensive midfielder Jacob Ramsey.
The Magpies have also tucked centre back Malick Thiaw and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale under their belt, with Thiaw to underpin the aging defensive line and Ramsdale to take Martin Dubravka’s place as second choice keeper.
This changed once Alexander Isak announced that he was looking for a move to Liverpool.
Of course, this changed once Alexander Isak announced that he was looking for a move to Liverpool – one that he has supposedly discussed with other teammates in the past. After a rejected £110m bid from the Premiership winners, Isak refused to play with his teammates in both pre-season and his first three Premier League games.
This left Newcastle in a horrid position – so late in the transfer window, how would they sell their star player and find someone to fill his shoes?
After many rejections by strikers such as Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko, NUFC finally found their replacement – Nick Woltemade, the German Under-21 star from Stuttgart. This left them in the position at the crack of deadline day to allow a £130m bid from LFC to be accepted, as Isak joins The Reds on a 6-year contract.
This left them in the position at the crack of deadline day to allow a £130m bid from LFC to be accepted, as Isak joins The Reds on a 6-year contract.
Deadline Day was very busy for the Mags, with Yoane Wissa having also been invited to the North East with a £55m deal to be the new number 9, despite Isak’s move.
How does this leave them for the upcoming season? The start of Newcastle’s season has been hungry and passionate, despite the double draw and loss. The main event, the first home game against Liverpool, showed this desire to perform perfectly, especially with Isak’s situation having been so up in the air.
Jamie Carragher, the lifelong supporter of Liverpool, even stated that “what we’ve seen tonight is possibly one of the worst performances from a winning team and one of the best performances of a losing team,” proving the hunger of the Newcastle side, despite their loss.
The balancing of Premier League matches, cup draws, and Champions League games will prove difficult for the Mags this season, however, I don’t believe it will be unsuccessful. Should the Magpies manage to utilise their squad depth – of which was filled with Championship players in the last UCL run – there is no reason that they cannot manage to bump their way up to the top five and possibly even manage another cup win.
Additionally, this year we see the return of the Tyne-Wear Derby, with Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League after 7 years. The excitement will only build once we return from the international break... Howay the Lads!