Newcastle United has finally made significant progress rebuilding its midfield, but the club apparently has no intention of allowing the expected arrival of Nico Gonzalez to conclude its summer transfer business.
The Magpies have agreed a £50 million (€58 million) deal with Manchester City for Gonzalez, addressing Matthias Jaissle’s demand for an experienced No. 6 following the departures of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
Attention can now turn toward the remaining holes in a squad that Jaissle
still considers incomplete, and according to The Athletic, senior Newcastle figures have made clear that at least one and potentially two additional signings will be targeted before the Sept. 1 deadline.
Newcastle’s needs are now concentrated primarily in attack, as The Athletic reported that Jaissle ideally wants a No. 10 — or a versatile attacker capable of operating across the positions behind the striker in his preferred 4-2-3-1 system — as well as another striker.
Those transfers, if completed, could have consequences for Nick Woltemade. The German was an unused substitute against Liverpool, and The Athletic noted that “it is difficult to see” him receiving significant minutes should Newcastle add another forward. Last week, Woltemade was linked to loan deals out to the Bundesliga, with particular interest coming from Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
While Lille winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo has been linked to the Magpies by L’Équipe, with the outlet reporting Newcastle’s €40 million (£34 million) offer for the forward, The Athletic’s sources indicate the club does not expect that transfer to happen and is considering alternatives.
Any defensive reinforcement is considerably less likely after the landing of Amar Dedic earlier this summer. Although Jaissle would prefer additional pace at center back, Newcastle is simply going to wait for captain Dan Burn to return from his ankle injury.
The scale of the remaining business could nevertheless be substantial. The Athletic reported that, combining arrivals and departures, Newcastle could complete between four and six deals during the final eight days of the window.
What should Newcastle prioritize after completing the Gonzalez deal: a No. 10, another striker, or both? Who would you like the Magpies to sign before the deadline? Share your thoughts below!
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