It has been a turbulent but ultimately successful transfer window for Newcastle
Football content editor for Chronicle Live, Sunderland Live, Gazette Live, Leeds Live, Yorkshire Live and Hull Live. A North East native, he has been working in sports journalism since 1995. Stuart has worked on the Sunday Sun, Chronicle and the Journal since move from the Gateshead Post in 1999.
Yoane Wissa, Eddie Howe and Alexander Isak
Yoane Wissa, Eddie Howe and Alexander Isak
Well that was a roller-coaster ride wasn't it? A summer that began with hopes of big-name signings flocking to Tyneside, then lurched through a series of rejections towards the juggernaut of Alexander Isak's transfer bombshell, finally came to halt with six first-team signings and a strong Newcastle United squad.
We've had some emotional departures along the way but Eddie Howe has largely got what he wanted way back in May before the window started. He would have prefered to have Isak in his squad, no doubt, but he now has a robust group and options to rotate his starting XI to deal to with the demands of the Champions League and domestic duties.
Of course every signing represents something of a challenge for those already at the club, athought competition for places can only drive performances up.
With that in mind, here are some of the window's 'winners' at Newcastle United - and those who may have a different perspective.
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Winners
Eddie Howe
Considering the United head coach as lost his star striker, you may think this is a push. But in reality he now has a squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts.
Yes, he may not have landed his first-choice targets in the transfer window, but he has been backed by the club's owners when it mattered, and United have more strength in depth than they have ever had before.
Even before the arrival of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, recent benches have contained players of the calibre of Aaron Ramsdale, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Jacob Ramsey, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Lewis Miley . . .
It's been a tough summer for Howe and he has again dealt with the Isak issue with his usual level head, emerging with dignity and credit from a difficult situation. Now he has the players to take United on to the next level.
Yoane Wissa
Let's be honest, while everyone was rightly up in arms about Isak withdrawing his services, Wissa doing the same at Brentford was not ideal.
It does sound as though the goalposts were shifted for the striker and he had more of a grievance than the Swede, but we may never know what was said behind closed doors in either case.
However, like Isak, his stance has paid off to the tune of a £50m move to Newcastle and the chance to play in the Champions League. It's what he wanted all along and it finally came in the closing hours of the window.
Alexander Isak
Like it or not, Isak and Liverpool got their wish. Newcastle at least got close to their valuation of the player and a major boost for any future PSR concerns, but lost a player of huge quality - to a Premier League rival.
Perhaps it should have been done and dusted earlier, but then United would have face accusations of cashing in on star players. Either way, Isak should not have pulled up stumps and effectively went on strike.
Contrast that with the behaviour of Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace, whose move to Liverpool fell through. He made no song and dance and continued to star for the Eagles . . . but didn't get his transfer.
Isak emerged as a 'winner' but at what cost to his reputation?
Nick Woltemade
Just over a year ago, Newcastle's club-record signing had completed his first full season with Werder Bremen to earn a move to Bundesliga rivals Stuttgart.
Now, the 23-year-old is a £65m striker, capped by Germany, and with a season of Champions League and Premier League football to look forward.
It's been something of a whirlwind for the tall frontman, but he has taken his move to Newcastle in his stride. A debut should follow against Wolves after the international break - and there is a huge sense of anticipation over what Newcastle have landed.
Losers
Jacob Murphy
The winger ended last season with an impressive nine goals and 14 assists after a superb campaign for United. However, Anthony Elanga's arrival saw him out of the starting line-up for the first two games of the season, and although he started at Leeds, it was a tough ask in a side shorn of a recognised striker.
Howe remains a big fan of the winger, who will relish the arrival of Woltemade and Wissa, but after seeing off competition from Miguel Almiron, he now faces another fight for a first-team place.
Will Osula
The young striker has gone from the highs of scoring against Liverpool and starting against Leeds to seeing two players brought to play in his role with a combined pricetag of around £110m.
Osula remains work in progress but it was signficant that United were considering selling him to Eintracht Frankfurt before a change of heart.
It was only one game, but he didn't really take his chance at Elland Road and has plenty to prove.
Joe Willock
The former Arsenal midfielder had a pre-season disrupted by another injury, and although he recovered quicker than expected, has yet to feature for Newcastle this term. Jacob Ramsey was preferred ahead of him to replace the injuried Joelinton at Leeds, and Willock did not come off the bench when United were pushing for a winner.
He will get his chance as rotation kicks in, but with Ramsey also favouring the left-hand side of the midfield, he may have to be patient.
Jamaal Lascelles
The club captain made a playing return in pre-season after a difficult year on the sidelines recovering from ACL surgery. Howe has been very clear over the value he brings to the squad behind the scenes, but with Sven Botman fit again the Malick Thiaw added to the squad, his first-team chances may be few and far between.