The 2024/2025 season was a historic one for Newcastle United.
Their campaign was marked by their first trophy in 70 years in the EFL Cup Final against Liverpool.
In addition, a fifth-place finish meant a return to the UEFA Champions League.
A successful season such as this led to widespread anticipation of an ambitious transfer window.
Many expected the Toon to decisively strengthen their squad and increase their competitiveness for the new season.
However, as the window enters its last month, the reality has fallen short of those expectations.
Despite expressing interest in players such as João Pedro, James Trafford, Bryan Mbuemo, and, most recently, Benjamin Šeško, Newcastle United have repeatedly found themselves overlooked.
Targets chose to join members of the Premier League’s traditional top six.
To make matters worse, Alexander Isak has reportedly agitated for a move to Anfield and has been absent from training in an apparent effort to force the issue.
Now, with the league starting in a week’s time and the transfer deadline around the corner, the club faces the challenge of scrambling for option B or even C targets across multiple positions.
These alternatives may not fully match the quality of their initial shortlist.
This situation has introduced uncertainty at an important moment when the club is looking to establish its identity on a larger stage.
Nevertheless, viable opportunities remain for Newcastle to address gaps in their squad.
There is a need for a forward who can be the focal point of the attack and play with his back to goal, as well as a midfielder who can inject creativity and knit together the midfield with the attack.
This Newcastle United recruitment analysis will examine the reasons for the club’s recent transfer struggles and propose two players who could provide the reinforcement needed to sustain its upward trajectory in the coming season.
Shifting Fortunes In Newcastle United Recruitment
Newcastle United’s transfer struggles stem from a mix of structural and strategic disruptions that have unsettled what was once an exemplary recruitment model.
Previously, the club excelled in identifying undervalued or high-potential talents whose profiles fit Newcastle’s aspirations.
Signings like Bruno Guimarães, Lewis Hall, and Tino Livramento highlighted this philosophy, allowing Newcastle United to build a competitive squad without overspending.
This is key, given the restrictions of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
From Alignment To Instability
The tenure of Dan Ashworth as sporting director from 2022 to 2024 was a success because his recruitment leaned heavily into Eddie Howe’s tactical ideals.
Players such as Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali exemplified the blend of athleticism and transitional quality that Howe prefers.
However, Ashworth’s departure introduced instability.
The subsequent arrival of Paul Mitchell, known for successful stints at AS Monaco and Tottenham Hotspur, was meant to elevate modern and international recruitment to a new level.
However, his time at Newcastle United was brief.
He left by mutual consent in June 2025, amid reports that transfer decisions were increasingly made by Howe and his coaching circle rather than by Mitchell.
Eddie Howe Growing Influence
Eddie Howe’s growing influence over recruitment has further complicated matters.
It appears that due to recent on-field success and support from the club’s leadership, he now oversees transfer operations with his close associates, including his nephew, Andy Howe.
This concentration of control risks overburdening Howe, who must juggle coaching responsibilities with the demands of recruitment.
The result has been slower negotiations and missed opportunities in a rapidly shifting market.
The Challenge Of Club Prestige
External factors also play a role.
Despite their domestic achievements, Newcastle United still lack the established prestige and consistency of the Premier League’s traditional powerhouses.
Top European prospects are drawn to these clubs for their history, regular UEFA Champions League participation, and global reputations.
Newcastle’s attempts to sign players like Bryan Mbuemo and Benjamin Šeško were unsuccessful in part because these targets favoured more established destinations.
The Road Forward
Recent signings such as Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale offer incremental progress, but Newcastle must reestablish a collaborative recruitment structure.
They need a specialist in talent ID to find gems or market opportunities.
Only then can Newcastle United attract top talent, present a unified vision, and continue their evolution into a genuine elite team.
Player Suggestion 1: Lucas Paquetá
Lucas Paquetá, now 27 and well into his peak years, remains among the most technically gifted midfielders in the Premier League.
Despite a turbulent campaign at West Ham United, including a disappointing 14th-place finish and off-the-field investigations, Paquetá’s class and potential for impact havent diminished.
He is a full Brazilian international with experience in both top domestic and continental competitions.
His current stage of development means he is more than capable of high-level contribution, particularly within a side hoping to mix amongst the Champions Leagues best.
Tactical Fit: Unlocking Newcastle United Attack
Paquetá’s tactical value can best be understood by considering how he prioritises the occupation of optimal spaces between the lines and fluid movement to lure opposition out of position.
In Newcastle United’s context, his ideal areas of occupation would be in the right half-space and the right side of a three-man midfield.
He can be the player between lines and become the conduit for progression and chance creation.
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