Newcastle United fans are becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of transfer activity at St James’ Park.
It has been an infuriating summer on Tyneside, with Newcastle United yet to make a real splash in the transfer market.
The only major signing that new sporting director Paul Mitchell has made is Will Osula, the 21-year-old forward who arrived from Sheffield United for an initial £10million. But he is one for the future, with Eddie Howe planning to grow and develop Osula’s game. The hope is that he will prove to be a very wise investment in the coming years.
Newcastle got the young forward they wanted, but arguably had to take more of a risk to get a cheaper deal. They have signed someone who did not score a single goal in the Premier League last season, with the hope being that he can provide cover for prolific stars in Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.
Newcastle United need to spend big money on two priority positions
After the striker deal, the hope was that Newcastle would sign a centre-back and a winger. That remains the hope, with the transfer window set to close on August 30th.
However, both acquisitions are proving to be extremely difficult, with Toon officials focussing their effort on signing a centre-back first.
Marc Guehi has been the top target, with Newcastle making some major offers for the 24-year-old.
Newcastle bid almost £65million for Guehi, but it was not enough for Crystal Palace to accept. Now the deal hangs in the balance, with Newcastle possibly walking away from the Guehi transfer in the coming days.
Steve Parish wants ‘superstar money’ for Marc Guehi, and that is something that the Magpies seemingly have not offered yet. And even if they do, it will then be extremely difficult for Newcastle to sign a winger who also improves Eddie Howe’s starting XI.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s Premier League rivals are strengthening up and down the division with big money transfers. And it is those transfers that are making the Magpies’ recruitment drive so difficult.
There is a lack of value in the transfer market for Newcastle
Ipswich Town have had a busy summer, as they aim to assemble a squad that is good enough to stay in the Premier League.
They are currently in the process of signing a striker, with Armando Broja set to arrive at Portman Road on loan at Chelsea. However, if Ipswich avoid relegation, they will be obliged to pay £30million to sign Broja permanently.
This is a player who has scored eight Premier League goals in his career from 66 appearances. There is simply no way that warrants a price tag of £30million.
It is a similar situation with Eddie Nketiah, who, according to the Athletic, is close to joining Nottingham Forest. Arsenal are looking for £30million to £35million for the 25-year-old, after netting 19 goals in 116 Premier League appearances.
Sure, he has the potential to score more goals if he plays regularly, as does Broja, but how can clubs command such lofty fees for players who they clearly do not believe are good enough?
When you look at some of the valuations, it is no wonder that Newcastle United are struggling in the transfer market. They are aiming to sign players who improve a starting XI that includes stars such as Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes. Players of that calibre are not easy to find, and they are not cheap either. In fact, even the players who would get nowhere near Newcastle’s starting XI are not cheap.
Of course, this is not to say that the likes of Ipswich and Forest are wrong to pay those fees. They are doing what they simply feel is required to battle against relegation. However, the fees they are paying serve as proof that there is barely any value in the transfer market right now.
In that respect, I do have sympathy for Newcastle United officials, who are finding it extremely difficult to make a breakthrough. It is a frustrating situation, and one they can hopefully find a solution to.
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