Newcastle United’s summer window underlined a significant shift in strategy.
In past years, big-money signings such as Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali were the headline arrivals, but the 2025 market told a different story.
But the clear trend running through Eddie Howe’s recruitment is a move toward youth, sustainability, and long-term potential.
It’s a reminder of the balancing act Newcastle and other clubs must perform in the era of Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR).
Yes, there was major business, with Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw, Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale all arriving.
With an average squad age of 27.5, the club is determined to lower that figure while also investing in academy and U21 prospects.
Howe’s ability to improve players has been central to this philosophy.
Joelinton’s reinvention, Dan Burn’s development, and the transformation of Alexander Isak into one of the world’s best show why the club trusts Howe to nurture the next wave of talent.
Isak signing proved to be the blueprint for Newcastle
When Newcastle signed Isak from Real Sociedad in 2022 for a then-club-record fee, eyebrows were raised.
The Swedish forward had endured an inconsistent season before his move, and many questioned whether he could justify the £60m outlay.
Three years on, he left Tyneside as one of the most complete forwards in the Premier League.
According to FBref, in 2024/25, he scored 19 non-penalty goals from an expected goals tally of 17.2 – highlighting both clinical finishing and an ability to outperform his underlying data.
He contributed 29 goal involvements overall, adding six assists to his 23 league goals, while averaging 3.10 shots per 90 minutes.
Matches Played
34
Goals
23
Assists
6
Progressive Carries
83
Progressive Passes
88
But his game was far more rounded than a traditional No.9.
He averaged 3.01 shot-creating actions per 90 and showed playmaking instincts with 2.88 progressive passes, alongside 2.71 progressive carries.
His passing was efficient, with 17 completed per 90 at a 75.3% success rate, and his progressive passing distance of 53.7 metres per game demonstrated his willingness to link play and stretch defences.
These numbers translated into key moments.
Isak scored in the Carabao Cup final as Newcastle beat Liverpool 2-1, securing silverware that had eluded the club for generations.
His performances meant Liverpool paid a record-breaking £125m to secure his services.
For Newcastle, the deal proved two things: Howe can develop signings into world-class players, and the club’s transfer model – investing in talent with potential, then reaping both sporting and financial rewards – works.
There could be another Isak in the works now too..
The next big project at Newcastle
If Isak is the model, Park Seung-Soo could be the next project.
Officially joining Newcastle from Suwon Bluewings in July, the 18-year-old South Korean is a raw but thrilling forward who has already shown flashes of promise.
At Suwon, he made 28 appearances, scoring once and assisting three, during a turbulent period that saw the four-time K League champions relegated for the first time in their history.
Despite the team’s struggles, Park stood out, becoming the youngest player in Korean league history at just 17 years and three months.
Comfortable across the front line but often deployed on the left, the right-footed forward has represented South Korea at U17 and U20 levels.
His playing style has already drawn high praise. Asian football expert John Duerden described Park as “similar to Mbappé.”
Suwon head coach Byun Sung-Hwan echoed that excitement, insisting, “Park has the ability to go to the top in football.”
Newcastle fans caught a glimpse of his potential in pre-season, where he earned rave reviews and was included in Howe’s matchday squad for the Premier League opener against Aston Villa.
Since then, he has featured in Premier League 2, still adjusting as the side searches for their first win of the campaign.
Beyond his footballing promise, Park’s signing also carries commercial weight.
Tottenham Hotspur reaped global rewards after Son Heung-min’s rise, and Newcastle will hope for a similar boost in Asia.
His modest market value of £150k, according to Transfermarkt, makes this a low-risk, high-upside signing that fits perfectly into the Magpies’ future-facing model.
Whether Park remains around the first team or heads out on loan remains to be seen, but Newcastle believe he can be nurtured into a star.
Howe has already proved he can transform players into elite-level operators, and if Park develops like Isak once did, Newcastle may again find themselves with one of Europe’s most exciting forwards.