Newcastle United’s summer business looked very different compared to recent years.
After seasons of navigating the tightrope of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), the Magpies were finally able to spend again, but only after some tough lessons in financial housekeeping.
The arrival of Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for £69m, which paved the way for Alexander Isak’s British-record £125m move to Liverpool, was the headline act of the window.
Yoane Wissa eventually followed in a £55m deal, capping off a remarkable string of forward moves in the window, while Jacob Ramsay, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale and Anthony Elanga added depth elsewhere.
Spending by position in 2025 Premier League window (timeless)
It was a refreshing change from the three previous windows, in which Newcastle made no first-team signings.
Last summer was especially fraught: the club scrambled to raise funds, reluctantly selling players like Jankuba Minteh, and even entertaining moves for Isak and Anthony Gordon.
Anthony Gordon for Newcastle
Now, with greater stability, Eddie Howe has the squad refreshed and ready for another assault on both the Premier League and Champions League.
But this financial strain has already shaped the careers of some local talents.
Elliot Anderson was one of the unfortunate casualties of last year’s PSR storm, and his career trajectory offers an intriguing comparison to the Magpies’ latest homegrown star.
Elliot-Anderson-Dan-Burn-England
Elliot Anderson: The one that got away
Born in Whitley Bay and a product of the Newcastle academy, Anderson was supposed to be one of the players to lead the club into a new era.
His versatility and box-to-box energy made him a valuable squad member, but his sale to Nottingham Forest in 2024 highlighted the brutal reality of PSR.
Elliot Anderson for Nottingham Forest
The deal, which saw goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos move the other way, was not desired by either player or club, but pure profit from academy graduates was too valuable to ignore.
It echoed Aston Villa’s decision to part with Jacob Ramsey this summer - a player they desperately wanted to keep, but whose sale ensured compliance.
For Anderson, though, the move has proved a blessing as he has gone on to become a first-team regular at Forest.
elliot anderson
Last season, he made 37 league appearances, scoring twice and providing six assists.
His all-action style and adaptability earned him his first senior England call-up, having previously represented Scotland at youth level.
In a recent World Cup qualifier against Andorra, he started in midfield and drew widespread praise.
The underlying numbers emphasise Anderson’s growth.
He ranks in the 88th percentile compared to positional peers in Europe's top five leagues for assists per 90 (0.19), 77th percentile for shot-creating actions (3.07), and 89th percentile for successful take-ons (1.18).
Elliot Anderson England debut vs Andorra
Defensively, he is just as impactful: 3.07 tackles (88th percentile) and 2.40 clearances (87th percentile) per 90 show his ability to press and recover.
Anderson has carved out an impressive Premier League profile at Forest, but Newcastle may already be brewing an even bigger star at home.
The Magpies' rising star
At just 19 years old, Lewis Miley has become the brightest prospect on Tyneside.
A product of Newcastle’s youth system, Miley has already played 49 times for the first team, including appearances in the Champions League.
Miley was linked with loans to Crystal Palace and Ipswich this summer, but Newcastle blocked any exit after early-season injuries to Joelinton, Tonali and Joe Willock.
That decision reflects his growing importance. As Bruno Guimaraes put it, “Miley is massive, he’s a star.”
Lewis Miley
His profile is that of a modern box-to-box midfielder: technically gifted, press-resistant, and intelligent in possession.
With a precise first touch, excellent passing range, and an ability to dictate tempo, Miley is already showing signs of becoming Newcastle’s long-term midfield conductor.
His market value, as per Transfermarkt, has soared to £20m, and he is beginning to feature for England’s U21s.
The data comparison with Anderson highlights why Miley may have a higher ceiling and has been noted as the "next young English superstar" by pundit Pat Nevin.
Premier League - 2024/25
Stat
Matches Played
Minutes Played
Goals
Progressive Carries
Progressive Passes
Source: FBref
His pass completion stands at 88.0%, compared to Anderson’s 78.3%.
He averages more completed passes per 90 (48.0 to 35.8) and slightly more progressive passes (4.86 to 4.72). Defensively, he excels too: four tackles per 90 versus Anderson’s 3.04.
While Anderson leads in progressive carries (1.72 to Miley’s 0.57) and shot-creating actions (2.87 to 1.15), Miley’s calmness and precision make him a more reliable figure in possession.
Lewis Miley scores for Newcastle
His game is built less on dribbling bursts and more on orchestrating play, ensuring balance between attack and defence.
With almost 50 senior appearances under his belt before turning 20, Miley is developing in a way Anderson never quite could at Newcastle.
Elliot Anderson for Newcastle
Surrounded by elite midfielders like Guimaraes and Tonali, he has the perfect environment to refine his craft.
If Anderson is proof of what can be achieved after leaving Tyneside, Miley may be the one who makes it all the way at St James’ Park.
For Newcastle, ensuring his development could be just as important as their headline signings in shaping the club’s long-term future.