Newcastle United's decision-making process in the James Maddison deal would have alarmed some supporters before the takeover.
From the outside, it looks like Newcastle finished second in a two-horse race for the England international. But the reality is Maddison was always just one of a list of exciting candidates in this summer's transfer quest. What happened after the Maddison deal at Newcastle is key. They simply pushed on with the process to fill one of their squad spaces - it was an easy decision too.
The Magpies have shown before that there is life after certain targets. Not least last summer when they started the window with Jesse Lingard on their wish list before quickly realising the player had his heart on a move elsewhere.
And, despite offering Lingard a good deal, Newcastle offered a "thanks for your time" before promptly moving on to other targets. Lingard went to Nottingham Forest but the deal did not work out and the ex-Manchester United man is now looking for his next challenge.
READ MORE: James Maddison stance at Newcastle United was always clear as Spurs pay over odds
Since the Lingard pursuit, which spanned from the winter window in 2022 to the start of last summer's trading period before dropping off quickly, Newcastle's own transfer needs have changed significantly. As they sit one season ahead of schedule in the eyes of club chiefs, they are now looking for a certain type of player.
With sporting director Dan Ashworth firmly into the role now on Tyneside, Newcastle's transfer process is merely gathering momentum. Especially now, unlike under previous owners, the Magpies have Darren Eales focused as CEO on commercial business rather than trying to juggle two jobs like former managing director Lee Charnley.
Just 12 months ago, they were looking for players that could bring stability and end the annual fight against relegation. Nobody quite anticipated the season would turn into a near miss in the Carabao Cup and rapidly accelerate into a Champions League finish.
But now Newcastle want a sturdy squad that can sustain both the challenge for life at Europe's top table and also make another tilt towards the business end of the Premier League table. Eddie Howe and his recruitment team know that won't be easy as they start to think about a strategy that can help the club cope with three-game weeks in the first half of the season.
However, thinking about an in-depth squad is key this summer and you only have to look back at last season to see that more than one competition puts strain on the players. It's why Howe has not been hasty when getting rid of key squad members.
Players like Jacob Murphy, Sean Longstaff and Elliot Anderson weren't back-up players last term, they proved to be key components to the team at various times. True, Anderson will feel he could have started more games but he was always challenging and when he came into the team whenever let anybody down.
That will be the same moving into a new season and Howe is eyeing more of the same from that point of view by handing deals to the likes of Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett. Again, players that won't start every game, but will be called upon at certain times.
What Howe has going on is the "buy-in" process and he won't give up looking for characters who are prepared to do likewise. There's no doubt Maddison would have been a decent addition and would have fitted in alongside his England pals Kieran Trippier, Nick Pope and Callum Wilson.
Yet the fact Newcastle were happy to let Spurs pay over the odds for a player they tried to sign just 12 months ago says it all, they know there are others available for a similar price and that won't compromise the club's commitment to the FFP rulebook. Splashing out £40million on a player that is down to the last year of his contract would have been lavish.
Newcastle know they are in the market for more stars and when you consider the Magpies are long-term investors it tells you it's not just about this window. It's about getting the figures right moving on to January and beyond.
Given the "let's move on quickly" response from most fans after Maddison was paraded in a Spurs shirt, the Newcastle faithful are hardly shaken by the loss of a deal that would once have sparked an uproar under previous ownership.
Supporters only need to look at the way United have responded after opting against certain deals under the Saudi-backed owners. There are no trust issues on Tyneside now, and the aftermath of Maddison's Spurs move have proved it.
