Newcastle United may not have made any additions, but it was still a very different transfer deadline day to a year ago. The previous regime, after all, briefed as early as 10.50am on August 31 last year that the club's business was done after Newcastle broke 'all the rules' to sign Joe Willock from Arsenal. The midfielder was Newcastle's only signing in 2021 and Steve Bruce's attempts to bring in further reinforcements on loan were blocked.
In contrast, on Thursday, Newcastle were not totally closed off. Although Eddie Howe did not expect to be active, or to do any major business, the Magpies were still looking at potential deals right up until the final day of the window.
That ability to be nimble was crucial to Newcastle signing Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad last week. Newcastle had previously been in talks to buy another forward, Joao Pedro, from Watford and, at one point, ChronicleLive was told that discussions were 'moving well' but, crucially, they were 'not closed'.
