Newcastle United’s summer recruitment appears far from over despite already completing four signings, with an internal source insisting work is continuing behind the scenes.
The Magpies officially unveiled midfielder Aladji Bamba last week following earlier arrivals Sean Steur, Ewen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure, but Eddie Howe made no secret of wanting further additions after losing two members of his last-season XI in Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.
Following Saturday’s 1-1 preseason draw with Gateshead,
Howe described it as “another challenging summer” while reiterating his frustration at seeing key players leave.
“We don’t want to lose our best players. That’s an obvious statement to make,” Howe said. “Losing those big two is painful for us and difficult. For me, it’s been another challenging summer so far.”
According to Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder, Newcastle’s recruitment team remains active despite speculation surrounding several outgoing and incoming deals.
“Newcastle still have business to do in the window,” Ryder reported. “One well-placed source stated to us: ‘We’re always working.'”
Ryder added that NUFC’s chief executive David Hopkinson missed the Gateshead friendly because he was returning from an undisclosed place in Europe, where he was believed to be working alongside sporting director Ross Wilson during the transfer window.
That said, Ryder stated that it remains unclear whether the trip involved transfer negotiations or other commercial business. Chronicle Live, however, reported that Newcastle is still pushing to add more players before the deadline.
Ryder’s report also notes Howe has deliberately taken a step back from leading transfer negotiations following last summer, when the absence of a sporting director and chief executive left him with greater responsibility. This year, Ross Wilson and Hopkinson have taken leading roles, although Howe remains fully supportive of the club’s younger recruitment strategy.
