Magpies have failed to land several transfer targets this summer
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has admitted the club urgently need to sign players in the window.
The Magpies have only managed to sign Anthony Elanga so far in the window, and last week striker Alexander Isak told the club he wants to explore a move away.
The Swedish international, who has attracted interest from Liverpool, was left out of the Newcastle squad that travelled to Singapore and South Korea, officially due to a minor thigh issue.
But sources close to the club said his absence from the tour is linked to his intention to leave St James’ Park this summer.
After Newcastle’s 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in Singapore, Howe told reporters that Isak would not be joining the squad on the tour.
Newcastle now not only need to bolster the squad but also consider replacements in the event that the striker eventually leaves this window. Even before Isak expressed a desire to leave, the club had been in the market for an additional striker but were left frustrated after missing out on several targets.
Liam Delap and Joao Pedro both joined Chelsea, and Hugo Ekitike chose Liverpool. Newcastle had made serious moves to sign each of the three. Other positions have not seen much positive news either, with goalkeeper James Trafford snatched from their grasp by Manchester City.
Newcastle are also facing resistance in their latest pursuit of a striker in Brentford’s Yoane Wissa. The 28-year-old forward is indeed pushing for a move to Tyneside but Brentford are refusing to sell, having already lost two key players and their manager this summer.
Wissa is understood to be unhappy with the club’s refusal to sanction a sale and does not intend to return to training, according to Sky Sports.
However, Brentford manager Keith Andrews said last week the situation was “simple” and that Wissa would “fold back into the group next week when we come back to training”.
Howe said Newcastle knew how important it was for them to reinforce the squad this summer.
“Of course, we’re not deluded,” said Howe. “We know that we need to bring players in. We’ve known that for a long time.
“At the tail end of last season, we did all the work we wanted. It’s been a challenging window, let’s see what we can do.”
