In what was a highly publicised, frantic, and turbulent transfer window for the club, Newcastle United have come out the other end in relatively good shape.
It had everything - the transfer saga of all transfer sagas, battling other clubs over targets, record transfer fees - I could go on.
But how does the window rank in terms of its overall success? Has it lived up to expectations? And are Newcastle in a better position going into the season now than they were at the start of the summer?
From the most expensive incomings to the least pricey outgoings, let's analyse.
**Incomings**
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**Nick Woltemade - Striker - 8.5/10**
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Woltemade's key stats compared to positional peers in Men's Top Five Leagues, UCL, and UEL over the last 365 days. Based on 1702 minutes played. _(Image: RBREF)_ Coming in to fill the £125 million Alexander Isak-sized hole is 6ft 6in striker Nick Woltemade.
The 23-year-old German joins Newcastle with much acclaim. The late bloomer shone in his breakout season for VfB Stuttgart and the U21 German national team, with the £69 million player reaching the final with his nation.
Not just a target man, Woltemade gets joy with the ball at his feet. Although not the quickest and certainly not the final product, his technical ability, physical profile, and striking ability give him a unique edge over his contemporaries.
As he is bedded in, you can expect to see driving runs and link-up play with wingers like Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga, with Woltemade suiting Eddie Howe's gung-ho approach to a tee.
**Yoane Wissa - Striker - 8/10**
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Although he came in for what some deemed an extortionate price for a 29-year-old with one year left on his deal, DR Congo striker Yoanne Wissa, who cost the club £55 million, brings needed firepower to Eddie Howe's side.
Another transfer saga that rumbled on for the entire summer, Wissa, who scored 19 non-penalty Premier League goals last season, is a necessary addition that will help to alleviate some of the pressure from Woltemade, whilst providing the proven pedigree needed to replace Isak.
**Anthony Elanga - Right Wing - 7.5/10**
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In a window that Newcastle were crying out for a right-sided player, Eddie Howe has secured the services of Swedish international Anthony Elanga.
Newcastle paid Nottingham Forrest £52 million for the former Manchester United academy prospect. The player comes in off a great season where he finished joint third in the Premier League for assists, ending the campaign with 11.
Although not the Bryan Mbeumo that many Newcastle fans wanted, Elanga's pace and direct style of play suit this Eddie Howe system well.
**Jacob Ramsey - Central Midfield - 7.5/10**
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Jacob Ramsey was viewed as one of the brightest young English players when he broke into Aston Villa's first team in the 18/19 season. _(Image: David Davies/PA Wire)_ Another necessary signing for Eddie Howe's side, 24-year-old Jacob Ramsey comes in to add back up and competition in midfield, in what is Newcastle's second Champions League campaign since the Saudi Arabian takeover in October 2021.
Expect to see Ramsey deployed as a left-sided central midfielder for Newcastle, where, as long as he can stay fit, the £39 million player's work rate and progressive dribbling ability will make him a good weapon in the Magpies' arsenal.
**Malick Thiaw - Centre Back - 7/10**
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Silky centre back Malick Thiaw, 24, is another who comes in to add needed depth to Newcastle's squad. The Toon paid AC Milan £30 million for the German international, who made 31 appearances for the Italian side in 24/25.
Thiaw adds youth and pace to an aging Newcastle backline.
**Aaron Ramsdale - Goalkeeper - 7.5/10**
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Aaron Ramsdale was another astute and solid move for Newcastle - the 27-year-old, who cost Newcastle £4 million with an option to buy, comes into the club with a mass of experience.
Much more capable at playing out with the ball at his feet than injury-prone Newcastle number one Nick Pope, Ramsdale adds competition in the goalkeeping position, providing another option for what will be a season with lots of games.
**Antoñito Cordero and Park Seung-soo - Left Wing - 8/10**
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Antoñito Cordero and Park Seung-soo, both 18, have joined up with Newcastle's youth set up for free and a minimal, undisclosed transfer fee, respectively.
Although not a lot is known about either, both tricky left-wingers impressed in pre-season. Newcastle had to fight for their services with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and PSG. Both seen as prospects for the future, Cordero has been loaned to Belgian side KVC Westerlo, whilst Seung-soo is set to feature for Newcastle's youth teams this season.
**Outgoings**
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**Alexander Isak - Striker**
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Like most Newcastle fans, I'm delighted to see the back of Alexander Isak. Although many were aggrieved at the thought of losing the striker earlier in the window, his ensuing conduct and the British record £125 million fee Liverpool paid for the Swede have vastly softened the blow.
I thought the short, 37-word Newcastle statement, which announced Isak's departure, was a fitting farewell for the poorly behaving Isak. Good riddance, Alex.
**Lloyd Kelly - Centre Back**
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Receiving around £15 million from Juventus for a player that arrived for free the previous summer was another bit of excellent business by Newcastle.
**Sean Longstaff - Central Midfield**
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Sean Longstaff can leave his boyhood club with his head held high after spending eight years in the Newcastle first team. The £12 million plus add-ons Leeds paid for 27-year-old Longstaff, in the last year of his deal, isn't bad business by any means for Newcastle, and helps the club with its PSR quota.
**Martin Dúbravka - Goalkeeper**
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A further player who has been invaluable since he arrived on Tyneside in the 17/18 season, fan favourite Martin Dúbravka, 36, will be missed by Toon supporters. The goalkeeper, another who was ready for a transfer, completed a permanent move to newly promoted side Burnley for an undisclosed fee.
**Callum Wilson - Striker**
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Callum Wilson bid farewell to Newcastle over the summer after spending five years at the club. _(Image: Tim Markland/PA Wire)_
Another who was once a cornerstone of Newcastle's first team, the time was right for 33-year-old Callum Wilson, who leaves the club on a free transfer for West Ham.
**Isaac Hayden - Defensive Midfield**
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30-year-old Newcastle stalwart Isaac Hayden left Newcastle on a free transfer for Queens Park Rangers. A player who played a valuable role in his time, but another whose time was right to move on, freeing up the wage budget for other future signings.
**Overall thoughts**
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Newcastle finish the summer having outlaid an impressive £241 million on five permanent incoming first team transfers, the most they've ever spent in a single window.
Despite being dubbed 'Rejection FC' on social media, with Newcastle missing out on several transfer targets, the club did bring in players in all of the positions they were targeting.
Of course, some overpaying did occur, but the club did have its hands forced by the Alexander Isak transfer saga.
Overall, a good summer for Newcastle, who have brought in a mix of youth and experience to bolster the squad in what is an important year for the club, which is aiming to fight on multiple fronts, having qualified for the Champions League the previous year.
In a summer where Newcastle had to let go of their star player, aging players, and bring in some new bodies, all without a sporting director, I think the club can be content with the business that has been conducted.