Tonali, Kvaratskhelia and dark clouds over Gateshead - Newcastle’s transfer hopes and pre-season fears

The dark clouds, cracking lightning and rumbling thunder that enveloped Gateshead’s International Stadium felt a suitable backdrop as half-time approached in Newcastle United’s first friendly of the summer.

As the whistle was blown and an intriguing 45 minutes came to a close, a torrential rainstorm battered the National League club’s home. Not that the non-leaguers cared as they made their way to the dressing room with a two-goal advantage over their Premier League neighbours, who fielded a side containing the likes of Kieran Trippier, Allan Saint-Maximin and Sean Longstaff.

After blowing off the cobwebs during the first-half, Newcastle hit back in the second 45 minutes and turned the game on its hard thanks to goals from Saint-Maximin, Elliot Anderson and youngster Jay Turner-Cooke. Perhaps it was understandable after a win that created more questions than it provided answers, Magpies manager Eddie Howe looked in a somewhat pensive mood as he assessed his side’s performance and their current state of play in the transfer market.

It would perhaps be a step too far to suggest the dark clouds that still gave a gloomy backdrop at full-time provided a meteorological metaphor for Eddie Howe’s mood during his post-match discussions with local and national press - but it would be safe to say there were some rumblings of frustration from the Magpies manager as he assesses the attempts to add to his squad.

It should be pointed out Howe’s frustration is not with the United hierarchy, who have backed him from the moment he walked through the door at St. James’ Park just over 20 months ago and heralded the start of the progression that has taken the club from the brink of the Championship to mixing it with Europe’s greatest in the Champions League.

The Magpies have ventured into the market this summer with the impressive capture of AC Milan and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali, who sat alongside the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Callum Wilson in the International Stadium stands as his new team-mates kicked off their preparations for an exciting season.

The battle with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations is an ongoing process and will limit the Magpies spending ability until further sponsor deals are confirmed and current squad players are moved on. Howe’s frustration lay within the need to consider FFP as he looks to build on the spectacular progress he oversaw during a remarkable first full season on Tyneside.

Speaking to the media, he said: "'Financial fair play' - words I don't really like the sound of but it's there in every conversation we have because it's relevant & impacting what we can & can't do. We have to be creative & sometimes think outside of the box because we have a budget we have to stick to.

“I don't want to lose anyone from the squad we currently have; I want to build, and add quality players. But, of course, you're not always in control of that, so we'll wait and see if a player could leave - but certainly it wouldn't be something I want to happen. We’re prepared to be patient & get the right players. But we’re also aware we need to improve the squad — so there will come a time that we have to move things forward quicker.”

Almost £300m worth of talent was unavailable for Howe as United’s band of internationals were handed an extended break after representing their countries during the summer. Most, if not all will return in Tuesday night’s pre-season friendly at Rangers and will then feature during meetings with Premier League rivals Aston Villa, Chelsea and Brighton and Hove Albion when the Magpies travel to the United States later this week.

Their off-field appearance at the weekend should remind supporters there is not yet a need to panic as they await the club’s next move in the transfer market. Howe’s words alone should not be interpreted as any push towards the club’s owners, who are fully aware of the need to strengthen their squad as a hectic campaign competing in four competitions draws ever closer.

Being ‘creative’ as Howe stated means moving players on in part-exchange deals and bringing in players on loan with an option for permanent moves at a later date could be considered. There remains an interest in Southampton full-back Tino Livramento and Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes, although a West Ham United now flush with cash from Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal will provide a threat for a move for the latter with David Moyes a known admirer of the Foxes star.

There have been fanciful links, with the latest coming in Italy as one national outlet suggested Newcastle are preparing a big money move for Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian winger is a player that has been watched by Magpies recruitment staff and is sure to be admired within key figures at St. James’ Park - but the same could be said of many a player around Europe.

The starting lineup for the Magpies opening pre-season friendly showed there is an inbalance in Howe’s squad as the former Bournemouth manager fielded no recognised striker and five players that would be considered as options at full-back. Despite Howe’s suggestion that he doesn’t want to lose players, there should be a realisation that a number of his squad are dispensable and can be moved on if a buying club can be found. There is loan interest in several current Magpies players and that could provide some wiggle room for the United hierarchy.

Unlike in the club’s recent past, when forward thinking and investment were conspicuous by their absence and hope and belief were a distant memory, the current keyholders at St. James’ Park have a long list of ambitious targets and will continue to work hard to add them to a squad that is ready to take the next step in its development.

There are still six weeks remaining in the transfer window and there is still time for the Magpies to add to their squad as they look to build on the momentum gained last season. Panic should not and will not settle in as the processes put in place by key figures like sporting director Dan Ashworth and head of recruitment Steve Nickson continue to provide information on targets at home, in Europe and around the globe.

Progression and development from Mike Ashley’s ownership has gone into overdrive and the step into the top four was taken at least 12 months ahead of schedule - but the hard work that secured that remarkable acheivement is why the Magpies hierarchy will retain the belief of the club’s supporters as the transfer window approaches its final month.