Newcastle United have not yet missed the mark when it comes to transfers since the takeover went through in October 2021. The jury remains out on the likes of Anthony Gordon who has struggled for consistent game time and form since arriving from Everton, but with a full pre-season under his belt, there remains hope he'll return a different animal.
Eddie Howe and Dan Ashworth are set for another big summer after the Magpies defied the odds to finish in the top-four last season, with Champions League football set for a return to St. James' Park. The Toon head coach has stressed on numerous occasions that his side will be there to compete and not just make up the numbers.
In order to do so, they'll need to add further quality to their squad to compete on multiple fronts. The arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes, Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier and Sven Botman - to name just a few - has elevated Newcastle to the upper echelons of the division but constant improvement is the only way they'll be able to start competing for major honours.
READ MORE: Eddie Howe prepared for another top four challenge as Newcastle land £38million windfall
It was just over 12 months ago Newcastle were celebrating survival in the top flight and a mid-table finish, with plenty of question marks over a summer window which would shine a light on how the Toon would operate in transfer windows to come. Alexander Isak and Botman would arrive as marquee signings but there were plenty of other players linked with moves to St. James' Park.
One of those, was Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The England international scored 21 goals in 39 appearances for the Toffees in 2020-21 and was also linked with a move to Mikel Arteta's Arsenal for a fee in the region of £60million.
The Everton striker had scored 15 goals in 41 appearances the season prior, with his form earning a place in England's Euro 2020 side that reached the final. However, injuries have plagued Calvert-Lewin's last two campaigns - making just 18 appearances in each of his last two seasons, making that £60million asking price look a little silly.
A knee injury ruled him out of the start of the most recent campaign before a hamstring injury kept him out of ten games from the beginning of February. Calvert Lewin has featured in just three wins for Everton this season and scored just twice, registering one assist in the 17 Premier League games.
"We haven't had Dom for two-thirds of my time here," Sean Dyche told reporters prior to Everton's relegation clash with Bournemouth. "When he got injured the first time, we realised it wasn't going to be a 10 day injury. We had to find a solution, we found that. It's important we do that again."
The 26-year-old has played just 1,175 minutes all season averaging 69 minutes in the games he's played. Out of a possible 3,420 minutes in a Premier League season, Calvert-Lewin has played just 34.4 per cent of Everton's games this season.
One look at those statistics suggest Newcastle were right to steer clear of the Blues frontman, albeit hindsight is a wonderful thing. Qualification for the Champions League will mean similar big calls will need to be made on new arrivals, with the pool of players available to the Magpies a new conundrum the new ownership have not yet faced.
In one sense, Ashworth himself will be entering unchartered waters given Newcastle will be looking to sign players of Champions League calibre. Nonetheless, his work at Brighton and recent work at the Magpies shows the Toon are in safe hands heading into an exciting summer.
You need look back to an interview he gave in January to see just how long Newcastle have been preparing for this moment.
READ NEXT
- Saudi company in running to become new Toon sponsor
- Eddie Howe pays special tribute to Newcastle United fans who stuck with team through 'dark days'
- Newcastle poach key member of staff from Leicester
- United to get 8,000 tickets for Rangers away day
- Eddie Howe well aware of what Newcastle's lofty finish means ahead of next term
