Newcastle begin the Premier League season in a much healthier state than they might have expected several months ago. There was a foreboding feeling at St. James’ Park earlier this summer, with Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak all strongly linked with exits.
Fast forward to the eve of the new campaign and, to some surprise, all three remain Newcastle players. It is a dream scenario for Eddie Howe as he begins a quest for European qualification.
There were wide-ranging reports prior to the European Championship that Newcastle had held preliminary talks with Liverpool over a potential move for Gordon. Guimaraes, meanwhile, had a £100million release clause that has since expired.
Isak was linked with Arsenal as part of the Gunners’ search for an elite No 9. At the time, Newcastle still needed to raise funds to be sure of remaining within the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations (PSR).
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That hurdle has since been navigated with some clever business. Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh were sold to Nottingham Forest and Brighton, respectively, in deals that comfortably eased Newcastle’s reported PSR shortfall.
Those departures meant Newcastle had no reason to sell Gordon, Guimaraes or Isak, allowing Howe to prepare for the new season with three of his best players. Entering a new PSR cycle, the Magpies were also able to add the depth to their squad that they lacked last term.
Lewis Hall’s loan from Chelsea was made permanent in a £28m deal. The 19-year-old is set to feature more prominently this season. Lloyd Kelly, who joined from Bournemouth, provides competition at centre-back and left-back.
Second-choice goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos was prised from Forest, while the addition of the experienced John Ruddy strengthened the shot-stopping department. A £9m punt has been taken on the former Sheffield United striker Will Osula.
There remains the possibility of further incomings on Tyneside. Newcastle have had three bids rejected for Marc Guehi, who is valued by Crystal Palace at £65m.
Guehi has only two years remaining on his Palace contract, raising the prospect that this could be the final opportunity for Palace to receive a significant fee for the England star. Newcastle are understood to be seeking alternative centre-back options while weighing up whether to make another move for the 24-year-old.
Even if Guehi is not signed, Newcastle are heading into this season stronger than the last. Gordon, Guimaraes and Isak will hope to spearhead a European qualification mission.
