Newcastle are the only Premier League club to have not made a signing this summer, and without a manager in place, there is little prospect of that changing anytime soon.
But it is not just Newcastle that Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley’s idle off-season is affecting. Other clubs, who want to get their business done early, and in an orderly manner, are not able to move forward as a result.
Some clubs may be interested in taking some of our fringe players, either on loan or permanently. Likewise, our youngsters may be sought after for loan deals at lower league sides.
But everything is frozen concerning the majority of deals in and out of the club right now.
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Yes, Ayoze Perez left, but with his release clause having been met, the club were powerless to prevent it from happening.
But not all players have such clauses, meaning they are stuck in limbo until something gives at St James’ Park.
Newcastle could miss out on targets due to lack of time remaining in window
Similarly, if Newcastle are going to be active in the transfer market before the closure of the window, leaving it late will mean clubs with players that we are chasing will have very little time to seek replacements.
That knock-on effect could see Newcastle unable to prise players away from their clubs due to the time restraints, and only then will the club rue their inactivity since the end of the season.
Of course, this whole situation is entirely of their own doing, and they will be able to blame nobody else should we be left woefully short by time the Arsenal game comes around.