Managing Newcastle - Prem rivals raided for striker as Tonali and Guimaraes pen deals

After a summer of heavy spending, it was always going to be a challenge for Eddie Howe and his team to hit the ground running with so many new faces at Newcastle United.

The transfer saga involving Alexander Isak brought unwelcome negative attention to the club as the Swedish international forced through his move to Liverpool at the close of the summer window. However, now Newcastle must look ahead and aim to build some momentum after a difficult few months.

Nick Woltemade has turned out to be a savvy signing, underlined by him becoming only the third Magpies player to score in his first three Premier League home games - a feat only previously achieved by Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand.

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Currently sitting 11th in the table, Howe's squad will be looking to make progress in the coming months to put themselves in contention for a European spot. The Saudi Private Investment Fund have reportedly informed Howe that the long-term objective is to steer clear of signing older players, a departure from the club's previous strategy of bringing in Kieran Tripper, Dan Burn and others, who helped kick-start a new era at St James'.

Despite snapping up top talents like Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Aaron Ramsdale, Malick Thiaw and Anthony Elanga, there's still scope for further bolstering the squad as Eddie Howe has been given the go-ahead to bring in new signings if necessary. Mirror Sport takes a closer look at what steps could be taken next to strengthen the club over the coming months.

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Boosting the front line

When Newcastle let Isak go, they didn't just lose their lead striker, they lost one of the world's best finishers. The Swedish international is a proven Premier League goal-scorer and in a league of his own, so Howe had a big job on his hands to replace him.

The club have already done a sterling job with their recruitment. Bringing in the likes of Wissa was a huge coup - a player who has a proven track record of scoring goals in the Premier League.

He hasn't yet made his debut for the club due to injury and recently suffered another setback while on international duty. He's expected to return to action at the start of November and when he does, he'll be a key player for Howe.

Woltemade has also shown promise, with his skills highlighted by the emphatic top corner penalty kick against Forest in the previous Premier League game week.

Newcastle have plenty of firepower but if the green light is given for further improvements, there's no doubt that Howe will put the funds to good use and try to beef up his attack even more.

As Tottenham Hotspur discovered after selling Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, it's no easy task replacing a world-class player with a host of untested talent. The only one from the 'Magnificent Seven' who blossomed into a top-notch player was Christian Eriksen and even then, he's a midfielder, not a goal scorer.

Roberto Soldado and Erik Lamela didn't come close to matching Bale's output, which is understandable given his calibre, but their recruitment decisions have been under fire ever since. Newcastle, on the other hand, are making smart moves by signing players who've proven their mettle in the Premier League.

Woltemade is an exception, but that gamble seems to have paid off.

So, if Newcastle fancy another dip in the transfer market, they'd do well to consider another Premier League-proven striker. Igor Thiago has been a sensation for Brentford since joining from Club Brugge - just ask any Fantasy Premier League manager about the £6.1m (in-game price) forward's performance.

Steve Nickson, head of recruitment, had his eye on the Brazilian goal machine even before Newcastle's takeover. While a striker isn't their top priority, if the funds are there, there's no reason why the club shouldn't take a chance on the 6ft 2in hitman.

Key quartet secure contract extensions

Securing new signings is crucial in building a squad, but arguably even more important is keeping hold of your current stars.

Sandro Tonali's journey with Newcastle may have had a rocky start, but he's been making up for it after serving a 10-month playing suspension.

The Italian international has been nothing short of sensational since his return from the ban. Despite his contract running until 2028, fans are hopeful that the club can secure him on a new deal to fend off interest from rival teams.

In today's football world, it's increasingly common for top players to let their contracts run down and then sign for big clubs like Real Madrid on a free transfer. Clubs such as Liverpool and PSG have missed out on massive pay days with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kylian Mbappe, so it's more crucial than ever to get players signed up to new deals well in advance.

Tonali should be high on the list for a new contract in the north east, along with his captain Bruno Guimaraes, Tino Livramento and Joelinton - all of whose contracts expire in 2028.

The responsibility of securing these players' futures falls on the shoulders of the new sporting director, Ross Wilson. The 41-year-old comes from his role as Forest's chief football officer and his new position will see him leading Newcastle's recruitment and sporting strategy.

While keeping these players will be crucial, Wilson's reputation will also hinge on his new signings. His track record is impressive, with the standout being Virgil van Dijk, who he spotted at Southampton and signed from Celtic for £13m, before selling him to Liverpool for a whopping £75m.

Wilson has reunited with Elanga at Newcastle, having previously signed him from Manchester United during his time at Forest. Callum Hudson-Odoi is another of Wilson's savvy acquisitions.

Despite the former Chelsea star's early promise, his career took a slight detour, but he's found his form again at Forest, playing a key role in their resurgence.

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