It’s been a summer to forget on so many levels for Newcastle United. James Trafford, Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike and Liam Delap are among the names Newcastle have targeted without any success.
They have made additions to their squad, with Aaron Ramsdale, Jacob Ramsey, Anthony Elanga and Malick Thiaw joining the club. But it’s safe to say Newcastle have been left wanting more in the market this summer.
And then there’s the Alexander Isak-shaped elephant in the room. The striker has been at the centre of a saga for the majority of the summer, with Liverpool having already seen one offer for Isak rejected by Newcastle.
It’s likely part of the reason Newcastle have been so hellbent on signing attacking reinforcements this summer, as well as a factor in why the Premier League side haven’t sanctioned an exit for Isak. But it hasn’t taken long for one of the players who rejected Newcastle to rub salt in their already painful wounds.
Alongside the likes of Mbeumo, Ekitike and Delap, Newcastle were chasing the signature of long-time target Joao Pedro. That was until Chelsea got involved in the conversation, with the Blues swooping in and securing Pedro’s services.
Just two weeks into the season and Pedro has already proven himself as an astute purchase for Chelsea, not least in their Friday night victory over West Ham. Pedro got a goal and two assists in the thumping and looks to have already established himself as an indispensable member of the Chelsea attack.
Meanwhile, the Isak situation rumbles on, with the player and the board currently finding themselves at a bit of an impasse. Isak launched an assault on the club earlier this week when he released a statement accusing Newcastle of “breaking promises” regarding his future at the club.
It didn’t go down well with fans’ favourite Alan Shearer, who told Betfair: “I mean, oh my God, what a f***ing mess his agent has made of this, honestly.
“If I was him, I’d get his agent in a room and sack him on the spot immediately, because he is meant to be giving him the advice to sign that six‑year deal and there’s no get‑out clause. I mean, it’s ridiculous. And to take anyone’s word in football… it’s nonsensical to say that someone said, ‘Oh, I’ll be able to get out at the end of the season.’ Really? I mean, come on.”