Newcastle plan to sign three more before Aston Villa trip – Championship star included
Time Ticking for Newcastle United as Eddie Howe Faces Mounting Squad Concerns Ahead of New Season
With the 2025/26 Premier League season rapidly approaching, Newcastle United find themselves facing significant squad challenges. Just two pre-season friendlies and a fortnight remain before their opening fixture against Aston Villa, yet the Magpies appear far from ready for the demands of another taxing campaign—one that includes domestic and European commitments.
Manager Eddie Howe is now grappling with a familiar concern: does he have the strength in depth to compete effectively across four fronts—the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup?
Key Departures Leave the Squad Thinner
The summer has already seen key departures that have chipped away at the depth and balance of the squad. Long-serving midfielder Sean Longstaff has joined Leeds United, while striker Callum Wilson has also exited. Meanwhile, star forward Alexander Isak remains the subject of persistent transfer speculation, casting further uncertainty over Howe’s attacking options.
As it stands, the current squad may well be weaker than the one that kicked off last season—a worrying scenario given the club’s ambitions to improve upon last year’s mixed results.
Recruitment Drive Ramps Up
In response, Howe and the club’s recruitment team are preparing for an intense final push in the transfer market. According to journalist Mark Douglas from The i, Newcastle have drawn up clear plans to address at least three priority positions: a striker, a right-sided central defender, and a central midfielder.
The club reportedly considers this coming week crucial—dubbed a potential “moving week”—particularly in the pursuit of a new striker. Active negotiations are said to be ongoing with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, both of whom are viewed as ideal candidates to bolster the forward line.
Defensive and Midfield Targets Emerging
In defence, Newcastle continue to keep tabs on promising Serie A centre-back Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta. Additionally, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi has once again been linked with a potential move to St James’ Park—though such a deal would likely come at a premium given his status and experience in the Premier League.
The search for a midfield reinforcement has also taken a new twist. Douglas reports that Newcastle have recently conducted further scouting on Coventry City’s Jack Rudoni, viewing the 24-year-old Championship standout as a potential long-term replacement for Sean Longstaff. While it would represent a major step up for Rudoni, there’s belief within the club that he could thrive under Howe’s guidance and system.
Is Three Enough?
While securing three new signings would mark a positive end to a frustratingly slow transfer window, it may not be enough to meet the demands of the season ahead. Earlier in the summer, many Newcastle supporters would have gladly accepted the arrival of five new faces. Yet, in the current context—with multiple injuries, departures, and potential exits looming—it’s clear that expectations have shifted.
The first-choice starting XI is strong and largely settled, particularly for Premier League and Champions League fixtures. But beyond the core lineup, the squad lacks the kind of depth necessary to navigate a season full of midweek fixtures and high-stakes games.
And should Alexander Isak depart before the end of the window—a scenario that cannot yet be ruled out—the need for reinforcements becomes even more urgent. In that case, Newcastle may find themselves scrambling to secure not just one striker, but multiple attacking options capable of contributing goals on a regular basis.
A Pivotal Fortnight Ahead
Newcastle United’s recruitment in the next two weeks will likely define the success of their 2025/26 season before a single ball is kicked. Howe has made it clear he needs more, and while quality targets have been identified, time is running out. If the Magpies are serious about pushing for silverware and deep runs in Europe, then three signings should be considered the bare minimum.
The next fortnight at St James’ Park promises to be frantic, and perhaps decisive.