Newcastle’s £10m gamble as Paul Mitchell closes in on first signing for the club

The transfer window continues to rumble and Newcastle United continue to stumble. There are growing fears on social media about the lack of first team investment made by the club this summer. The hope is that a centre back and right winger will be signed to strengthen the starting options available to Eddie Howe. However, the more time that passes, the less trust is given to those in the hierarchy.

The delays are likely caused by the sporting director appointment of Paul Mitchell. Had we waited until the end of the window to appoint him, it is likely more business would have been concluded. That doesn’t mean it would have been the right business though and the expertise of the new man should help us make the correct decisions. The time to judge will be when the window closes, even if frustration at the time of writing is understandable.

There is likely to be a first team signing made in the coming days though, as Sheffield United forward William Osula closes in on a move to St James’ Park after arriving on Tyneside for his medical. The Danish youth international will join for £10 million, with a potential for an additional £5 million in add-ons. If the latter part is paid, it would have been a successful deal for the club, so we should judge it on the initial fee for now.

Going into the summer, the striker position needed to be looked at. Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson have struggled to hold down the position between them, due to injuries. The former is more robust than the latter, but he is still a player who needs to be managed. That becomes impossible if his deputy is injured. It was speculated that Wilson would be moved on this summer and a replacement signed, but that looks unlikely at this point in time.

If Wilson is to stay at the club, it was imperative that the club signed another striker and the pending signing of Osula shows the hierarchy agree. The deal has had a mixed reaction online. There are some that can see his potential and…

Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/08/05/newcastles-10m-gamble-as-paul-mitchell-closes-in-on-first-signing-for-the-club/

Author : Jake Jackman

Publish date : 2024-08-05 12:21:39

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