Newcastle United’s summer business underlined just how far the club has come since the takeover and how much further they still want to go.
It was a window marked by frustration, last-minute deals and big-money moves.
The Magpies were forced to bide their time as a string of forward targets slipped away, with Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko all proving elusive.
Persistent interest in Wolves’ Jorgen Strand Larsen and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa also seemed destined to end in disappointment.
Yet as the window drew to a close, Newcastle’s hierarchy finally pulled the trigger.
Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade arrived in a £69m deal, paving the way for Alexander Isak’s record-breaking £125m switch to Premier League Champions Liverpool on deadline day.
Wissa’s determination to join also paid off, with a £55m agreement finalised as the player drove through the night to force the transfer.
Early results, however, have been mixed. A goalless draw with Aston Villa, a 3-2 home defeat to Liverpool and another 0-0 against Leeds have highlighted Newcastle’s need for attacking fluency.
Wolves at St James’ Park and a glamour Champions League tie against Barcelona await after the international break – fixtures that will test Howe’s new-look group immediately.
Nick Woltemade: Newcastle’s headline addition
At 23 years old and standing at 1.98m, Nick Woltemade is the archetypal modern target man.
Tall, technically secure, and more mobile than his frame suggests.
His 12 goals in 28 Bundesliga games for Stuttgart last season marked him out as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards, and it was no surprise that Bayern Munich had three bids rejected earlier in the summer.
Persuaded by direct conversations with Howe, Woltemade chose Newcastle as the platform for the next stage of his career.
The Germany international already has four senior caps to his name and impressed at the U21 European Championships this summer.
Most recently, he showcased his playmaking instincts with an assist in Germany’s 3-1 win over Northern Ireland.
A closer look at his data from 2024/25 paints a picture of a well-rounded striker.
Matches Played
28
Goals
12
Assists
2
Progressive Carries
31
Progressive Passes
52
Across 28 appearances, Woltemade was involved in 14 goals, with a shot-on-target percentage of 50%.
He averages 1.28 shots on target per 90 and creates 4.38 shot-creating actions in the same span, evidence of his ability to contribute beyond finishing.
His 2.89 progressive passes and 1.72 progressive carries per 90 show a player comfortable linking play, while 26.1 carries per 90 underline his willingness to drive the ball forward.
Even defensively, Woltemade has shown application, recording 0.56 tackles and 1.28 blocks per 90.
For a Newcastle side that often struggles to break down low blocks, his mix of aerial presence, movement and creativity looks like the perfect tool.
That being said, perhaps Newcastle have a gem in their ranks who could surpass the big German.
The hidden Newcastle gem with superstar potential
While Woltemade is already making headlines, Newcastle may have secured an even greater long-term prize in the form of Vakhtang Salia.
The 18-year-old Georgian striker joined on a five-year deal this summer and is expected to be a key figure in the U21 squad this season.
He arrives from Dinamo Tbilisi, where he registered eight goals and four assists in 57 senior appearances.
Modest numbers on paper, but performances that convinced scouts from across Europe.
Salia has already attracted admiration from giants including Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and Bayern Munich, while both Arsenal and Manchester City explored a deal.
In the words of journalist Graeme Bailey he is regarded as “one of the best teenage prospects in the world,” a label that has earned comparisons to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
What makes Salia so intriguing is his potential. At a market value of just €800k (£600k), Newcastle have invested in a player who could grow into a genuine superstar.
His performances at youth international level for Georgia have already caught the eye, and he has shown maturity beyond his years in leading the line against more experienced defenders in the Georgian league.
For Howe, Salia represents an opportunity. The club must carefully manage his development, ensuring he does not suffer the setbacks that have stalled other highly-touted prospects.
If handled correctly, though, Newcastle may find themselves with a striker capable of eclipsing Woltemade.