Patience, optimism and anxiety have all defined the mood around Newcastle United’s transfer window so far.
That emotional swing can change by the day — sometimes by the hour — as the club’s transfer team works to ensure there is no repeat of the frustrations that marked last summer.
In practical terms, that means allowing players who want to move on to depart at the right moment rather than in a frantic deadline-day scramble. It also means acting with greater speed and conviction on new signings. Above all, it means Newcastle must feel in control of their own business.
Last year’s problems were rooted more in the club’s structure than in the individuals involved. Eddie Howe, who had consistently delivered for Newcastle, was not given the support he needed. What followed was a difficult campaign that, measured against the high standards recently set, felt like a significant step backwards.
This summer, Newcastle believe they have strengthened their leadership setup, with sporting director Ross Wilson and chief executive David Hopkinson now in key roles. Even so, having the right people in place does not automatically guarantee the right results.
Victor Munoz was close to completing a move to Newcastle before Liverpool stepped in
Sources say Howe is fully committed after taking time to reflect at the end of the season, and he has returned with renewed belief. But morale can be fragile at a club whose public ambition to become the best in the world remains some distance from its current reality. That gap helps explain why some leading players are considering their futures — a point that will become important.
Newcastle’s recruitment staff were dealt an early setback when their first major target of the window, Osasuna and Spain winger Victor Munoz, slipped away after Liverpool hijacked the move. For those at St James’ Park who remember the Reds beating them to Hugo Ekitike 12 months earlier, it carried an uncomfortable sense of déjà vu. Once again, the familiar feeling of panic was never far away.
There was better news this week when Bazoumana Traore, a 20-year-old winger from Hoffenheim, arrived on Tyneside for a medical ahead of a £42.5m transfer. The Ivory Coast international fits the profile Wilson is working to, which is 18-to-24-year-olds with a high ceiling for improvement. Positivity.
A deal for Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi is being discussed but progress has not been as swift as hoped. He is currently with his country at the World Cup. Patience. Manchester United are said to have a longstanding interest in the 20-year-old and Manzambi’s eye-catching performances in North America would not have helped. Panic? Not yet.
Newcastle have been told they are at the front of the queue and the numbers involved with the player and his club Freiburg should not be an issue, but they thought that about Munoz. Man United’s midfield priority is also Alex Scott of Bournemouth.
Newcastle will push ahead and hope remains that Manzambi will arrive. There is, though, a danger that others could join the race. Newcastle have a reputation among rivals for identifying good players, and that is one of the reasons they are vulnerable to those clubs copying their homework.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo, of Lille and Belgium, is a versatile forward they like a lot, but the 21-year-old is said to want Champions League.
Elsewhere, club chiefs have maintained a dialogue around Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, but have been told he will only decide on his future after the World Cup. He remains the top target to play ahead of Ewen Jaouen, the 20-year-old keeper who has joined from Reims for £18m.
A deal for Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi is being discussed
A right back is also wanted and they have shortlists in every position, but those moves will be dependent on outgoings. Already gone is Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, while Sandro Tonali is in the departure lounge headed for Tottenham.
At £70m and £92.5m respectively before add-ons, both deals represent fair value for Newcastle. They needed to trade this summer, evidenced by £5.2m’s worth of UEFA fines for breaching financial rules.
Gordon wanted to go to accelerate his career, while Tonali was driven as much by lifestyle and a desire to relocate his family to London. But both had concerns about the speed, direction and delivery of the Newcastle project.
That, it should be said, is related to infrastructure and ownership – still no new training ground, for example – and not coaching. Howe and his backroom team have improved every player, and Gordon and Tonali would acknowledge that as being integral to their development. Combined, the profit on the pair could rise to £80m.
One profit that would feel like a loss at any price is Bruno Guimaraes. As revealed by Daily Mail Sport, representatives acting on behalf of the club captain have spoken to Arsenal and, in turn, have spoken to Newcastle with what is said to be a verbal offer. That was instantly dismissed and the message back was that Guimaraes is not for sale.
Bruno Guimaraes’ representatives have spoken to Arsenal but a verbal offer was dismissed
It is a concern for Howe and Wilson, though, that such conversations have taken place. Why? It would suggest their most influential player is keen to explore his options. Newcastle, we can reveal, will talk about a new contract with the Brazilian, if that is what he wants. So far, with him at the World Cup, the full picture remains unclear.
As a contingency, midfielders remain on the radar. Felix Nmecha, of Dortmund and Germany, is admired and conversations have taken place, but that is a pricey deal to do.
Lamine Camara, of Monaco, has been linked but that is unlikely to happen. The preference and the plan is to keep Guimaraes. Howe believes his skipper has a quality that is priceless.
But everyone else, well they have a price, that is the upshot of PSR, SCR and FFP. That is why Newcastle’s transfer situation remains fluid. Patience. Positivity. Panic. Only 60 days to go.
