Newcastle United have been dealt a bad hand in the summer transfer window, but Eddie Howe has remained a calm figure throughout.
With a week left in the transfer window, it is fair to say that the Magpies have struggled to get the players they really want through the door.
Newcastle United have made four senior signings this summer in positions which were in desperate need of improvement, but there is hope that at least one new player can come through the door before the window closes on 1 September.
Throughout the summer, Newcastle have missed out on their long-term, top targets. Hugo Ekitike joined Liverpool, despite Newcastle having an interest for over three years.
Now, Newcastle are dealing with Alexander Isak’s transfer saga, which unfortunately shows no sign of ending, despite the hope that he will return to training this week. As Newcastle look to make more signings with a week left in the transfer window, a new report has given details of what head coach Eddie Howe is letting on at Newcastle.
Eddie Howe looks on during a game between Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Newcastle United insiders think Eddie Howe has been ‘disrespected’
As well as losing out on Ekitike, the likes of Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko turned down moves to Tyneside in favour of Chelsea and Manchester United, respectively.
Their moves elsewhere have left Newcastle scrambling for another striker to replace the already departed Callum Wilson, and they are currently using Anthony Gordon as a striker while Isak remains away from first-team training.
In a report from The Athletic, there is a suggestion that the relationship between Howe and Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes has grown apart due to this summer’s antics. The pair developed a close bond during their playing days, which continued when Howe took charge at Bournemouth.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
The report states that one club insider believes Howe is feeling ‘more aggrieved’ than he is letting on in public, and that this summer’s transfer sagas have caused ‘a certain degree of animosity’ as well as a loss of trust.
There is also the feeling within Newcastle that Howe has been ‘disrespected’.
Howe’s issues come from the situations involving Isak and Ekitike, as well as Liverpool’s interest in Gordon last year.
What Liverpool think of Newcastle United’s bitter transfer window
While Isak still wants to join Liverpool, there is a chance that a deal does not come to fruition, and the 25-year-old has to stay at Newcastle until January at least.
Even if Liverpool fail to sign Isak, they have already done the damage by changing his opinion on the club, making him push for the move away.
From the same Athletic report, there is a feeling of confusion at Liverpool over Newcastle’s belief that their transfer plans have been thwarted by Ekitike moving elsewhere.
Despite what is believed, Ekitike was on Liverpool’s transfer wishlist this summer, and took the opportunity to steal a march on the Magpies when their talks with Eintracht Frankfurt led them nowhere.
There is also a ‘bemusement’ within Liverpool at the thought of acting improperly by backing out of the Isak deal after their £110m bid was rejected in early August.
Isak can still leave Newcastle this summer, but it will be to the detriment of Howe, who does not have his replacement lined up.