Arsenal maestro Joe Willock became the 15th player to sign either on loan or permanently for Newcastle United under Steve Bruce when he checked in on Monday.
The Magpies will hope the youngster can do the business at St James’ Park – but how have the others performed.
Here at Geordie Boot Boys we looked at the 14 before Willock and graded them accordingly.
Joelinton – Hoffenheim – £40m – F
It’s fair to say that more has been expected from the former Bundesliga talisman.
The Brazilian has scored seven goals and registered seven assists in 66 appearances for Newcastle.
Given the outlay that isn’t really good enough and the deal to sing Joelinton looks like a disaster.
Allan Saint-Maximin – Nice – £16.5m – B
The 23-year-old has just one goals and one assist to his name this season but he has spent time out injured.
Last season he bagged four goals and registered seven assists, proving one of the signings of the season.
His raw pace is a massive asset to Newcastle and he’s already been linked with a move to Arsenal since arriving in the Premier League.
Jetro Willems – Eintracht Frankfurt – Loan – B
The Dutch defender quickly became a fan favourite at St James’ Park before injury cruelly struck.
He’s not actually made a return to action since suffering his injury over a year ago – and failed to secure a move during January.
Willems scored twice and claimed three assists for Newcastle and plenty of fans would have welcomed him back to the club.
Andy Carroll – West Ham – Free – E
The re-signing of Andy Carroll hasn’t worked out at all.
When he’s been fit he’s struggled for consistency and he’s found the net just once this season.
The 32-year-old has scored just once this season and his days at Newcastle look numbered.
Emil Krafth – Amiens – £5m – C
The 26-year-old has played 29 games for the Magpies but has rarely been viewed as the first-choice right-back.
Given his £5 million price-tag some supporters might have expected a little bit more from Krafth.
He’s had some good moments but Newcastle could have probably signed better for less.
Nabil Bentaleb – Schalke – Loan – D
The Algerian performer checked in on loan for the second half of the 2019/20 campaign.
He started eight games for the Magpies and was largely ineffective.
A permanent deal was never in the offing though with Bentaleb nothing more than a stop-gap option.
Valentino Lazaro – Inter Milan – Loan – C
Another loan signing for the second half of last season was the Inter utility man Lazaro.
He played at right-back, in central midfield and on the flank during his time at St James’ Park.
Lazaro managed just four starts though and the 29-cap Austrian joined Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer.
Danny Rose – Tottenham – Loan – D
Checked in for the second half of last season after falling out of favour in North London.
He managed 13 appearances and tried desperately to get himself match fit.
Bruce opted to look elsewhere at the end of his loan though and Rose remains in limbo at Tottenham.
Mark Gillespie – Motherwell – Free – C
Difficult to really give him any rating other than something in the middle ground.
Was added as a backup option for Karl Darlow with Martin Dubravka out injured.
Kept two clean sheets in three Carabao Cup games but lost his place for the quarter-final against Brentford.
Jeff Hendrick – Burnley – Free – C
The 29-year-old has been a regular in Bruce’s team this season since checking in from Burnley.
He did take some time to get up to scratch but not looks to be settling into life at St James’ Park.
Keeps things neat and tidy and has proved a decent addition on a free.
Ryan Fraser – Bournemouth – Free – D
Simply hasn’t managed to stay fit since checking in and is proving a frustrating signing.
He has featured 12 times for Newcastle, scoring once and claiming two assists.
Bruce will hope for better fortune on the injury front as the season continues to progress.
Callum Wilson – Bournemouth – £20m – A
Despite Newcastle struggling for creativity this season, Wilson has still bagged himself 10 goals.
The 28-year-old also has five assists to his name and if a Player of the Year was picked tomorrow, he’d be top of the list.
Signing Wilson was a great move by Bruce but more creative options around him would have been ideal in the summer.
Jamal Lewis – Norwich – £15m – C
Another shrewd investment has been the addition of the left-back from Norwich.
The 23-year-old has played 21 times this season and is proving a solid player for the Magpies.
Lewis is exactly the sort of signing that Newcastle have craved for years.
He is young, has sell-on value and is deemed as one of the Premier League’s bright, young talents.
Joe Willock – Arsenal – Loan – TBC
On paper, the addition of the young Hale End graduate looks a sound one.
He has scored three goals and claimed three assists in the Europa League this season and has looked sharp.
Willock will have a point to prove to Arsenal and that can only bode well for Bruce.
Watch this space…
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