Newcastle United are hoping to flex their newly-found financial muscle in the final fortnight of the transfer window as they pivot away from signing potential and towards experience and pedigree.
The sales of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon for a combined total of more than £200m this summer has unlocked spending power that the club plan to use before 1 September to strengthen the squad.
A move for Manchester City midfielder Nico Gonzalez is being actively worked on, although sources stress there are other deals “of a similar profile” they could switch to as they look to add upgrades who would seriously raise the level of Matthias Jaissle‘s first team.
So far the club’s recruitment drive has centred around players of potential who are mostly aged around 20, pulling the average age of the squad down to 25.9 from 27 last year.
But the signing of Benfica’s Bosnia international Amar Dedic, who turned 24 when Newcastle announced his signing earlier this week, is the first of more high-profile incomings being worked on by the club. The players are likely to be older and have more experience.
Gonzalez latest and two players for sale
Nico Gonzalez played against Arsenal in the Community Shield (Photo: Getty)The club’s priority is a midfielder and The i Paper understands they are pushing to complete another deal before the weekend, although having someone on board to play against Liverpool feels unlikely given the Premier League deadline to register a new arrival would be midday on Friday.
The i Paper understands efforts to complete the signing of Spain under-21 international Gonzalez in a deal that would be worth around £50m are ongoing. It would be a major coup for the club and certainly soothe nerves on Tyneside after a summer of change.
As every Newcastle fan will recognise after some bruising recent knockbacks there are no guarantees and there is understandable caution given the club’s experience of missing out on targets in this transfer window. But the Magpies’ interest is serious and there is belief a deal can be brokered after positive talks.
Gonzalez has previously said he would be happy to stay at City but is down the pecking order there, whereas the sales pitch is that he would be the big star of the so-called “Newcastle 2.0” project.
The Magpies are seeking a swift resolution to the deal and want decisions from player and club as they juggle a variety of options to fill the Guimaraes-shaped hole in their midfield.
Joe Willock is for sale (Photo: Getty)Newcastle are also in the market for another forward – and will look to balance the incomings with the sale of Joe Willock, who has another year left on his contract.
It has been reported that Jacob Murphy is also available, although strong showings in pre-season may have altered Jaissle’s thinking on the right winger – who is understood to be a key figure behind-the-scenes.
Why so late for a Guimaraes replacement?
One of the criticisms from supporters is that Newcastle sold Guimaraes without having a replacement lined up, but the club insist they are working to a “clear-headed” strategy, having sold him early enough to give them plenty of time to find the right player at the right price.
There were targets ready to go quickly. But Jaissle’s appointment had an impact on Guimaraes succession-planning, with the new boss given time to formulate a view on the squad and give his opinion on where best to go next. He is an influential voice on recruitment, just as predecessor Eddie Howe was.
There are no certainties in a summer of change but Newcastle’s priorities have shifted after a recruitment drive that began with them “in a different place”, having to undergo a “hard reset” after missing out on Europe and the revenue streams that would have brought.
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Sources insist they can afford Premier League-ready players now, hence the Gonzalez chase. But there was never any prospect of them ticking all the boxes of their squad refresh without casting the net further for players of “serious potential” who cost less and come with lower wage demands.
“We have satisfied that part of the equation. Time will tell what we do before 1 September but we are looking at different profiles than the first part of the recruitment drive,” a source said.
As uncomfortable as it is to wait, judgement on what the squad looks like has to be delayed until the deadline has passed. There is work to do.
Newcastle’s £190m ‘landmark moment’
Meanwhile, in a major sign of owners PIF’s commitment to the club Newcastle have announced plans for a “world class” new training facility after completing the £190m purchase of land near the city’s airport to build it on.
Newcastle have bought land at Woolsington Hall and will submit plans for the training ground in early 2027 – with the intention of moving in for the 2029-30 season. They will also construct a new academy and there is the option for the women’s team to move in a phased development.
Buying the 260-acre site has been described as a “landmark moment” for the club by David Hopkinson, the club’s CEO. The club described it as a “significant long-term investment”.
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