Two mystery transfers Newcastle United are working on after Joao Pedro disaster

Newcastle United Shift Focus After Joao Pedro Setback, Quietly Working on Alternative Signings

Newcastle United have been dealt a significant blow in their summer transfer plans after missing out on one of their top attacking targets, Joao Pedro. The Brazilian forward, who was heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park, has officially signed for Chelsea, forcing the Magpies to pivot and explore other options in the market.

While some sections of the Newcastle fanbase remain unfazed by Pedro’s decision to join the Blues, his snub still represents a setback for manager Eddie Howe. Pedro was high on the club’s wishlist as they look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the 2025/26 season. However, despite the disappointment, the club’s recruitment team is pressing ahead, determined to land the right reinforcements before the transfer window closes.

Behind the scenes, work is intensifying as Newcastle United continue to reshape and strengthen their squad. According to reports from i Paper, the club is actively pursuing two new signings — one attacking player and one centre-back — as direct alternatives to Joao Pedro and Marc Guehi, the latter of whom they also failed to lure away from Crystal Palace last year.

Interestingly, the identities of these new targets have not yet been leaked to the media, much to the satisfaction of Newcastle’s recruitment chiefs. The club is deliberately keeping negotiations under wraps in a bid to avoid the kind of drawn-out sagas that have plagued previous transfer pursuits. In the past, highly publicized deals have often fizzled out or been hijacked by rival clubs, leading to frustration both internally and among supporters.

This strategic secrecy is not unfamiliar to Newcastle United, especially since the club’s change in ownership. Under the leadership of the PIF-backed consortium, the Magpies have made a habit of pulling off surprise signings with little to no advance warning. One of the most notable examples came in 2022 when Newcastle stunned the footballing world by securing the signature of Swedish striker Alexander Isak.

Initially considered too costly, Isak was briefly shelved as a target, with Newcastle instead focusing on Joao Pedro at that time. However, when the opportunity arose to sign Isak at a more acceptable valuation, the club acted swiftly and discreetly. By the time the media got wind of the deal, it was nearly complete. Isak went on to become the most expensive signing in Newcastle’s history, arriving for a record £63 million from Real Sociedad.

A similar approach was taken in the summer of 2023, when speculation surrounding a potential move for Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella served as a smokescreen. In reality, Newcastle were closing in on a deal for AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali, another high-profile acquisition that was kept under wraps until the final stages.

Most recently, the Magpies caught many by surprise once again by signing Will Osula in August 2024. Viewed as a long-term project, Osula was one of the last major deals overseen by outgoing sporting director Paul Mitchell, who departed the club earlier this year.

Now, the task of shaping Newcastle’s squad for the future falls to Andy Howe and Steve Nickson, who are jointly leading the recruitment operation. The pair are reportedly at an advanced stage in negotiations for the aforementioned unnamed centre-back and forward, both of whom are expected to play crucial roles in Eddie Howe’s setup if the deals are completed.

With the Premier League season drawing closer, fans remain eager for transfer breakthroughs. But if Newcastle’s recent history is anything to go by, it’s likely that the club’s next big moves will come as surprises — executed in stealth, away from the media spotlight, and revealed only once pen has been put to paper.

For now, all eyes are on Howe and his backroom team as they quietly go about their business, hoping to land the right pieces to elevate Newcastle United to the next level domestically and in Europe. The Magpies may have missed out on Joao Pedro, but with plenty of ambition, a proven track record of smart recruitment, and a clear plan in place, their summer is far from over.