'Very frustrating for Newcastle and Howe so far'

Our chief football writer Phil McNulty has been taking your questions.

Ken asked: Why do we (Newcastle United) seem to be struggling to get deals done? Eddie Howe said he wanted business done early but we haven't been able to attract our top targets. It's a little bit of a worry.

McNulty replied: It has been frustrating as I was at Newcastle on the last day of the season when Eddie Howe said it was imperative business was done quickly. But this has not happened.

It is not as if they have not been trying, but they have been unable to agree deals and now it looks like Joao Pedro, a prime target, is off to Chelsea.

I think this was always a fear behind the scenes at Newcastle, with the attraction of London and extending the ex-Brighton clan of Marc Cucurella, Moises Caicedo and Robert Sanchez.

Still plenty of time to bring in new faces – but there is no escaping the fact it has all been very frustrating for Newcastle and Howe so far.