Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Sport
Lee Ryder

Forget Twitter negativity, Newcastle United have already had a good window and it will get even better

Newcastle United are already having a good transfer window so far with two deals done for top level left-back Matt Targett and England goalie Nick Pope.

By the time the pre-season fixtures begin, Eddie Howe is hopeful of adding at least two more new faces and for all the social media negativity on Hugo Ekitike, a deal which is still active, the reality is Newcastle, in the event of any deal slipping away, will move on to other targets and business will be completed in good time for the new season. Seldom could that be said during the Mike Ashley era but if January wasn't enough proof that Newcastle's new owners mean business, a good steady start to June should offer more than just encouragement that United will get what they need.

June is a particularly difficult month for clubs with agents - see the Hugo Ekitike deal - believing they can get the big fees they want early doors. The representative in question, Karl Buchmann, is the man holding up Ekitike's move to Tyneside - not the player.

READ MORE: New mentality Newcastle United players must have to survive at St James' Park

If it was down to the player he would have broken off from his holidays this week to get the deal done. At Newcastle, he will be afforded the big stage in the Premier League whereas at PSG or Borussia Dortmund, there will be no guarantees.

Whether Mr Buchmann, who has not responded to messages from the Chronicle, feels he can get the big bucks from the cream of Ligue 1 or the Bundesliga is something only he can answer. But if it costs Ekitike his big move to the Premier League he hasn't done his client any favours.

Newcastle have been patient with Reims and Ekitike in the same way they have given Sven Botman every chance to make his mind up on a big opportunity to sign for the most ambitious club in the Premier League. Fair enough, Botman has his heart on AC Milan (although the narrative will almost certainly be Newcastle were his only choice if he signs) but if the Serie A champs can't find the readies then surely there are few better places to ply your trade than St James' Park.

The Magpies will be a lot stronger by the time the new season kicks off on August 6 - that's for sure, whether they sign the Reims wonderkid or not or whether Botman comes around to the idea that he could be a Vincent Kompany style arrival like at Man City at the start of their incredible journey in the late Noughties.

But as January and June so far have proved, Newcastle aren't messing about on transfers. Refreshing Twitter and doomscrolling is not recommended, retaining a glass that is very much half-full on recruitment should be the way forward.

READ NEXT

Big Jamal Lewis question as Newcastle left-back set for pre-season chance

Smiling Nick Pope arrives while Newcastle stay silent on Hugo Ekitike

Newcastle transfer plan will end untouchable era as Howe gets what he wants after Bruno shake-up

Newcastle United release 1,000 season tickets as clamour for seats continues

Nick Pope's impressive statistics that hints at Eddie Howe's system next season

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.