Alexander Isak will never feature for Newcastle United again, but after netting on debut for the Magpies, record signing Nick Woltemade already looks capable of leading the line and making that centre-forward role his own.

And Newcastle have begun to click. The summer window closed with plenty of relief for Eddie Howe, who endured turbulence throughout, the long Isak transfer saga being central to the problems that unsettled the early fixtures of the Premier League season.

But the Swedish striker has now departed, in exchange for a British-record £125m deal.

Still, in Woltemade and proven finisher Yoane Wissa—unfortunately sidelined by a knee injury before he could debut—Howe has rebuilt the foundation of his potent attacking trio.

A victory over Wolves gave Howe his first three points of the season, offering a fresh platform to move forward and forget the transfer frustrations.

Because Newcastle’s attack, without question, has been reshaped in important way.

Howe’s system thrives on collective strength. Isak was a top-class forward, but he belongs to the past, and Newcastle reacted by bringing in two new strikers with the quality to fill the void.

Wissa’s introduction is delayed by injury, yet the former Brentford star scored 19 league goals last campaign and will provide the reliable finishing touch required to replace Isak’s consistency.

And that’s not all. United needed a new right-sided attacker in 2024 and had previously failed to land Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga on deadline day.

Twelve months later, they secured him in a £55m move. Elanga hasn’t quite settled at St. James’ Park, but his pace, energy and spark add a new dynamic to Howe’s frontline.

So, despite setbacks, Newcastle strengthened their forward ranks after missing out on players like Hugo Ekitike—who, alongside Isak, ended up at Liverpool.

At one stage, a deal for Ekitike appeared close, but when Liverpool swooped, many Toon fans felt it would help convince Isak to stay.

That hope vanished, and Liverpool captured both. Newcastle reshaped their attack, but the real blow came when Liverpool also secured another rising talent—one who could become a world star.

In August, Liverpool confirmed the £26m signing of Giovanni Leoni from Parma, with the fee potentially rising to £30m.

A highly-rated 18-year-old defender, Leoni is viewed as one of Europe’s top prospects, comparable to Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen, another Newcastle target, though at an earlier development stage.

Leoni is yet to debut for Liverpool, so his readiness cannot be judged, but competition for his signature was fierce, and Newcastle were strongly interested.

Already part of Italy’s youth system, the tall and commanding centre-back has been described by scout Jacek Kulig as “one of the most complete teenage defenders in Europe” and “the future” of Italy.

Such transfers are the near-misses that shape clubs’ fortunes. For instance, Newcastle signed Malick Thiaw from Milan this summer for £35m, and he once clashed with Leoni in Serie A.

Ekitike’s loss was frustrating, though Newcastle replied by adding Woltemade for a similar outlay, plus Wissa.

But Leoni joined Liverpool, a move that may prove especially clever. Newcastle’s intent was real.

Parma CEO Federico Cherubini revealed after the transfer that they had rejected a bigger bid from Newcastle, but Leoni wanted Merseyside and preferred Arne Slot’s project.

Newcastle still regrouped well, bringing in strikers with different qualities and also Thiaw, though his Serie A career was interrupted by recurring injuries and limited starts.

Leoni, meanwhile, adapted impressively to senior football last season, with Liverpool insiders convinced he is a major coup. Commentator Adam Summerton even predicted he’s “destined to be a star.”

Though the summer was chaotic for Newcastle fans, Howe’s side deserve credit for refocusing and securing new recruits for a squad with title-winning potential.

Isak’s exit stings, and Ekitike too now plays at Anfield, but Newcastle found Woltemade and remain a genuine contender.

Still, Leoni appears to be a special prospect, and it’s a pity he won’t be wearing black-and-white to help shape Newcastle’s future growth.