Newcastle United's stunning £227m transfer window predicted with Inter and Real Madrid deals

Newcastle United’s summer transfer window business has already kicked off with some surprise departures and four new arrivals at St. James’ Park.

The Magpies battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations forced the sales of academy product Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Gambian winger Yankuba Minteh to Brighton and Hove Albion, with the latter departing without making a first-team appearances for Eddie Howe’s side. There have been a number of arrivals after Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall completed a permanent move to Tyneside after spending last season on loan with the Magpies. Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly was reunited with former Cherries manager Howe after making a free transfer switch to the North East and goalkeeping duo Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy were also secured.

The transfer business is far from over for the Magpies hierarchy with a centre-back, winger and a striker said to be high on the agenda for the remainder of the transfer window. But how could the next seven weeks play out at St. James’ Park? We fire up Football Manager 2024 to see what business the world’s most popular managerial simulation believes will be conducted ahead of the new Premier League season.

Goalkeepers

There was very little change in the Magpies goalkeeping ranks with new additions Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy already joining during the summer. There was one departure as long-serving stopper Martin Dubravka joining Italian club Udinese in a £2m deal.

Howe’s goalkeeping options: Nick Pope, Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy, Mark Gillespie

Defenders

There was plenty of change in the Magpies defensive ranks as four current members of Howe’s squad were dispatched to pastures new. Left-back Matt Targett joined Championship club Luton Town on a season-long loan move and Jamal Lewis’ underwhelming spell at St. James’ Park came to a close with a £4.4m move to Leicester City. Swedish international Emil Krafth joined Nice in a £6m deal and club captain Jamaal Lascelles moved to Wolves in a £5m deal. Two centre-backs arrived at a combined cost of £50m as Benfica’s Tomas Araujo and Torino’s Perr Schuurs both moved to Tyneside and Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy was secured in a £30m move.

Howe’s defensive options: Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Ferland Mendy, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, Tomas Araujo, Perr Schurrs

Midfielders

There was one departure in the middle of the park as Sean Longstaff was sold to La Liga side Real Sociedad in a £10m deal. His replacement proved to be Brazilian midfielder and reported Fulham target Andre as he joined the Magpies in a £13m. Joe White was allowed to join Sheffield Wednesday on a season-long loan and Lewis Miley is now viewed as a key part of Howe’s midfield options.

Howe’s midfield options: Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock, Joelinton, Andre, Lewis Miley

Forwards

It was a case of two in and one out at the top end of the pitch as the Magpies completed their biggest move of the summer to lure Inter’s Marcus Thuram to St. James’ Park in a £68m deal. He was joined by Danish international Kasper Dolberg, who joined from Anderlecht in a £22m switch and the duo will compete with Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson for a leading role in Howe’s attack. The main departure in the final third was Miguel Almiron as the Paraguay international has joined Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest in a £17m deal.

Howe’s forward options: Alexander Isak, Marcus Thuram, Anthony Gordon, Kasper Dolberg, Callum Wilson, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy

NEW SIGNINGS: Ferland Mendy (£30m from Real Madrid), Tomas Araujo (£28m from Benfica), Perr Schuurs (£22m Torino), Kasper Dolberg (£22m from Anderlecht), Andre (£13m from Fluminense), Marcus Thuram (£68m from Inter) Total spend: £183m

DEPARTURES: Martin Dubravka (£2m to Udinese), Jamaal Lascelles (£5m to Wolves), Emil Krafth (£6m to Nice), Jamal Lewis (£4.4m to Leicester City), Miguel Almiron (£17m to Nottingham Forest), Sean Longstaff (£10m to Real Sociedad), Matt Targett (loan to Luton Town) Total income: £44m