Soon enough, the frenzy will be finished. Before long, the summer transfer window will shut tight, and the endless chatter around the Alexander Isak saga will fade beneath the anticipation of a fresh Premier League season.
Newcastle United have already kicked things off, having travelled to Villa Park and secured a draw, though it might have been a victory had they possessed a ruthless striker to convert their chances.
Isak remains missing from training sessions and matchday squads, and with Callum Wilson now turning out for West Ham United, it is vital that the PIF ownership group secure one or two elite forwards to spearhead a Champions League push and chase further silverware.
Negotiations have dragged on throughout the summer, but as deadline day looms, Newcastle appear closer to their target, with Brentford’s Yoane Wissa emerging as the priority after repeated failed offers.
Earlier this week, the Magpies lodged a second proposal worth £35m plus tough add-ons, but Brentford rejected it, with no pressing need to part ways with one of their main attacking threats.
Even so, Wissa is determined to join Newcastle, and that level of desire to wear black and white is precisely what Howe values, given his emphasis on work rate, togetherness and full commitment.
Reports from The Athletic suggest some within the club doubt whether a deal can be sealed before the window closes, but the player’s persistence in wanting the switch has ensured talks remain alive.
Another option has surfaced in Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen, though at a fee believed to be around £60m, making a serious move for him would arguably be an unwise expenditure.
Wissa may be the older candidate, but with that comes maturity, and last season he demonstrated the coolness and technical craft needed to deliver goals for a club of Newcastle’s stature.
.Strand Larsen certainly offers qualities of his own, but Newcastle also have their sights on another Premier League frontman who is raw yet possesses immense upside and could thrive under Howe’s guidance.
Nicolas Jackson has shown flashes of promise across his two campaigns as Chelsea’s lead striker, but he now appears open to leaving, with Newcastle ready to enter what could be a late-window bidding battle.
Chelsea are looking to recoup around £60m for Jackson, far below earlier claims that only an £80m offer would be considered, a figure linked to Aston Villa’s previous approach for the Senegalese forward.
When the Blues signed him from Villarreal for around £30m two summers ago, they secured one of Europe’s brightest young attackers, blessed with pace, power and finishing instinct proven during his breakout in La Liga.
Yet the Premier League often swallows emerging talents, and Jackson has struggled with consistency, though a record of 34 direct goal contributions in 65 top-flight appearances is hardly poor.
Journalist Rahman Osman has hailed Jackson’s “special” qualities, highlighting that his game extends far beyond goal scoring, as he provides energy, link-up play and movement that Howe could polish into stardom.
I ndeed, if icons such as Thierry Henry speak glowingly about his potential, it is clear there is substance in his skillset and untapped levels still to come.
Jackson arguably boasts a higher ceiling than Wissa, but with Newcastle chasing multiple forwards, the pair could complement one another with differing strengths.
Comparing their numbers from last season, the contrast is clear: Wissa is the sharper finisher, while Jackson provides more energy and creativity, averaging over one key pass per match across his Premier League career, per Sofa score.
Wissa is not Isak’s equal, but his contributions at Brentford last season delivered figures not far removed from those of the Swede’s, a testament to his reliability.
Still, despite his tidy interplay, Wissa lacks the all-around dynamism to replicate Isak’s role in Howe’s structure, with many viewing the Scandinavian as one of the game’s most complete strikers.
That’s where Jackson comes in. The Chelsea forward could hit new heights at Newcastle, using his athleticism and strength to link with Wissa, who has already shown chemistry with adaptable partners like Bryan Mbeumo.
Whether Newcastle secure the deals remains to be seen, but Howe undoubtedly needs reinforcements in attack. With Wissa and Jackson, he would gain contrasting options to elevate the project — perhaps making 2024/25 a season remembered as the launchpad toward long-awaited glory on Tyne side.
