Newcastle United's January business played a huge part in their bid for Premier League survival last year and this summer's early recruitment has been a breath of fresh air. In years gone bye the Magpies have huffed and puffed their way over the line on Deadline Day with supporters used to mediocre transfer windows.
The arrival of Matt Targett, Nick Pope and soon to be Sven Botman on permanent deals is a big statement from Newcastle at such an early stage. However, the Magpies were dealt a blow earlier this week when reports suggested that a deal for Hugo Ekitike was now off the table as a result of ludicrous demands from the player's representatives.
Ekitike is well sought after this summer after a breakthrough season in Ligue 1 but it's claimed the youngster is being ill-advised after originally seeking assurances over game time. The youngster's original decision to turn down a move to Newcastle was in order to continue his development with Lille but any further deliberation could put the transfer on hold.
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Time will tell whether these claims are true but if they are, Eddie Howe may be giving the transfer second thought. The Magpies boss outlined the type of players he wants at the club in the Winter, with Newcastle embroiled in a battle for their Premier League safety.
"We've got half a season left. I want players that want to come and are absolutely committed to turning the situation around," he told reporters on Zoom. "I think offering relegation clauses is a sure fire way to potentially bring players in who don't have the correct motivation.
"We'll take each situation on an individual basis. I would never state clearly one way or the other that we are or we're not because I don't think that's right. Each individual situation is very different, but I want players who are absolutely committed, who have no way out, who say, 'I've got to make this work'. I think that's the only way we're going to get success anyway."
Newcastle's dynamic is now a different one entirely with Howe orchestrating a superb second-half of the season to secure their Premier League status. The Toon boss wants characters who are 'prepared to roll their sleeves up and fight in this situation and to give everything in every moment for the football club,' with the January arrivals showing exactly how that's done.
"I think you very quickly get a feeling for someone's motives and for their motivation because I think that's very important for me," he said. "You want players who want to come for the football first and for the feeling of playing for Newcastle, for the pull of the club, for the pull of the supporters, for the pull of the history and the chance to build something special at a very unique football club.
"Those things are so important. If you see a player coming for purely financial gain, it won't work - the player won't be a success. That's an important part of what we're trying to do, but you also need very good players so it's a very delicate combination for me to figure out."
Dan Ashworth's arrival at St. James' Park also changes things behind the scenes slightly. In January Head of recruitment Steve Nickson had overseen scouting operations; Amanda Staveley, Jamie Reuben and Mehrdad Ghodoussi had all been speaking to agents; and temporary recruitment consultant Nick Hammond offered some additional football expertise with his experience on the negotiation side.
Ashworth is now expected to have a more prominent role in proceedings, but Howe will still be relying on the same collaboration as January. "We're looking at a more collaborative effort," he added. "We're working together and I've been really pleased with how our relationships have formed and how those opinions are being formulated.
"Ultimately, as the manager, I'm fully aware that I have to take responsibility for everything that happens. I'm prepared to do that. That's how I've always worked so I will take full accountability for all players coming in, but we are working as a team.
"I'm one person. There's no way that I can watch every player that is ever put to me but, certainly, when it gets to signing a player, I've got to know everything about them. I've got to know their strengths, their weaknesses. I've got to go into real detail. That takes a lot of time. If I'm looking slightly tired guys, that's why. This month is a big shift."
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