Newcastle are on the verge of completing the signing of German striker Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart, in a deal worth over €80 million plus add-ons.

When Newcastle United’s second bid of £55 million for Wolves forward Jørgen Strand Larsen was rejected earlier today, it sent a clear message: the Magpies are serious about reshaping their attacking options, and they believe the Norwegian could be a transformative figure in their frontline. But who is Strand Larsen, and why are Newcastle so intent on bringing him to St James’ Park?

Newcastle’s first home game of the season was always going to be a big one, but the summer-long speculation around Alexander Isak has added another layer.

It has been a slow and at times frustrating summer for Newcastle United. In the final week of the transfer window, the club have ticked off some important boxes, but it has not been without difficulty.

Newcastle United return to Premier League action on Monday with a hotly anticipated home tie against Liverpool. And while this is a Liverpool side that has undergone significant change since last season, Arne Slot’s team remain one of the division’s most dangerous attacking units.

Anthony Gordon has become Howe’s preferred stop-gap at CF. Against Villa, he led the line and showed glimpses of what he can offer: intelligent link play, relentless pressing, and raw pace that unsettles defenders. He also showed what he lacks: the instincts of a natural number nine.

When Rasmus Højlund burst onto the scene with Atalanta in 2022-23, the comparisons to Erling Haaland were immediate and, in some ways, inevitable. At just 19, he looked like a striker built for the modern game: tall, fast, aggressive in his movement, and utterly fearless in front of goal.

Newcastle United’s ongoing pursuit of Brentford’s Yoane Wissa has hit a precipitous impasse. Reports now place Brentford’s valuation at an eye-watering £60 million, far above Newcastle’s comfort zone.