The Magpies' transfer window has not gone to plan but things could change quickly
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.
Jorgen Strand Larsen and Yoane Wissa
Jorgen Strand Larsen and Yoane Wissa have been linked to Newcastle
It wasn't supposed to be like this. As the 2024-25 campaign closed with the Champions League music playing over scenes of jubilation at St James' Park, there was a feeling an exciting summer lay ahead.
After almost two years of relative inactivity in the transfer market, the chains were about to be broken on the treasure chests as Newcastle United took the next major steps forwards in their transition into one of the Premier League's big boys.
Now, as we count down the final days of the window, the Magpies face a race against time to find a striker - ideally two - who can fill the Alexander Isak-shaped hole in Eddie Howe's side and give fans some encouragement that they can at least compete on all four fronts this season.
The window has not been the disaster some would have you believe, but nor has it been what many had hoped for. Not even close.
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The reality is that United are now well down their transfer wishlist when it comes to bringing a new striker to the club. It's hard to pin too much blame on the club for that, of course, with Isak certainly public enemy No 1 for his transfer stance which has derailed much of their initial plans.
We know they are still not at the level when they can compete with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea on wages, and so we saw Bryan Mbeumo, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko flirt with a move to Tyneside before opting to go elsewhere.
It's frustrating but that is the reality at the moment - and Newcastle cannot wallow in self pity.
More recently, they have been linked with moves for Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, while a deal to bring Yoane Wissa to Newcastle from Brentford has been in the pipeline for some time.
Neither particularly set pulses alight, but here's where United do have an advantage over their rivals.
In lieu of more expensive, overseas imports, Newcastle appear to be now targeting players with proven Premier League pedigrees. They are not in the top echelon by anyone's standards, but that's where Eddie Howe comes in.
He has a strong track record of elevating players to the next level - we've seen it countless times already at Newcastle, with the likes of Joelinton, Jacob Murphy and Fabian Schar to name but three who have seen their careers take on a new lease of life under the head coach.
Isak himself was not the £150m-rated striker he now is before arriving on Tyneside, while the list of players ready and willing to sing the praises of Howe runs from captain Bruno Guimaraes all the way through to new signing Jacob Ramsey.
Newcastle fans may not like the fact that they appear to rummaging around for striker when they would rather they were cherry-picking from Europe's elite.
But don't discount whoever does come through the door - and it needs to be quick - being worth a whole lot more in a year or two after developing into something special in black-and-white.