Newcastle United

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United have appointed David Hopkinson as the club's new chief executive officer. He succeeds Darren Eales, who announced last September that he would be stepping down after being diagnosed with a chronic form of blood cancer.

Hopkinson joins from Madison Square Garden Sports, where he was president and chief operating officer, leading on the business operations of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.

The Canadian previously served as global head of partnerships at Real Madrid and spent over two decades as chief commercial officer at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, where he oversaw the commercial activities for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors.

"I am incredibly honoured to join Newcastle United at such an exciting time in the club's history," he said.

"This club represents something truly special. It has extraordinary history and heritage, incredibly passionate supporters, and ownership, players and staff who are committed to excellence.

"I greatly admire what has been achieved by the club so far, and I am excited and motivated by what is ahead as we strive to position Newcastle United among the world's elite clubs."

Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan said Hopkinson was an "outstanding executive whose track record across global sport and entertainment speaks for itself".

"His experience and strategic capabilities will be invaluable as we continue to build on the club's presence locally and grow it globally on and off the pitch," he added.

Hopkinson will officially join Newcastle on Friday.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle United defender John Anderson believes Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw will need to be patient for their opportunities to start this season.

Anderson praised the recent performances of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn, noting that while Botman is arguably the club's best centre-back, the current pairing is making it difficult for others to break in.

The Magpies have made a solid start to their Premier League campaign, keeping two clean sheets in their opening three matches, both coming away from home against Leeds United and Aston Villa.

"Burn and Schar have been excellent," Anderson said on BBC Radio Newcastle. "They did what they had to do yet again over the weekend. All through last season they were great together as a pairing and individually, and they have started the season well again.

"If he [Schar] keeps performing the way he is performing and Dan Burn keeps performing the way he's performing, it's going to be difficult for them boys to get in. They are going to have to wait their turn because, and I know people will say they are not getting any younger, but they are still performing at a very high level."

Listen on BBC Sounds

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United. Holder of my heart. Giver of white hair. The transfer window is over and we can breathe! But how did it go? Honestly, no notes! Couldn't have gone better. Loved how quiet it was.

Of course, I'm doing a fun BIT there because this transfer window has made me feel like a crazy person. The whole thing has been overshadowed by the Isak saga (now concluded with a confirmed move to Liverpool, for whom I assume he will at least train). It is a shame, actually, because we have done some quite nice little bits of business, despite all that drama.

We brought in Anthony Elanga early in the window to strengthen our speed down the wings. We brought in Nick Woltemade, a young German talent to help us going forward, and Yoane Wissa from Brentford to take the number nine shirt, as well as Malick Thiaw and Aaron Ramsdale to bolster our defensive options. Not to mention Jacob Ramsey.

You can't really argue with that window, bar the fact we have lost one of the best strikers in the world. Ignore that bit.

So has it been successful? That's for time to tell. I'm excited by our signings because we were crying out for depth. Nobody wanted us to go back to the Parc des Princes without a full bench. We have so many games to play this season and now we have options. Even Eddie Howe sounded pleased with the squad in his post-Leeds comments on Saturday.

It is, obviously, a blow to have lost Alexander Isak, and to have lost him in very public fashion. It is terrible to allow Liverpool fans on the internet the opportunity to gloat more than normal.

But this window hasn't been bad by any stretch of the imagination, and I'm looking forward to really getting our season started.

Transfer window rating: 7/10.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

Alexander Isak's transfer saga has set a "really bad precedent" going forward but would have been "weird" if the striker had not gone for the move to Liverpool says FourFourTwo journalist Matt Ketchell.

"I think a sensible resolution was met in the end," Ketchell told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"As soon as you get a player who doesn't want to be at the football club, it's better to move them on. I think Newcastle just wanted to get the value and the replacement, which they managed."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Alexander Isak's thank you message to Newcastle on social media - and your response was unequivocal.

Here are some of your comments:

Utsav: That message holds no meaning now after being so disrespectful to the club, fans and city of Newcastle all summer. He has every right to move forward in his career but there is proper way to do it. He should see Marc Guehi as an example. It's just total hypocrisy from Isak and he has already lost all the respect. No point in releasing the message after such a disgraceful exit.

Mel: It feels very much like a PR message. No way did Isak write it! Actions will always speak louder than words and the two don't match. Respect is earned and he lost any I had for him with his behaviour.

Stephen: Too little, too late. You will never be forgiven. We will be better without you. We move on, we continue our road to better things.

Joe: Clearly not grateful given that he's spent the summer sulking to force the move. Far too easy for him to say now, but he's tarnished his reputation and legacy at the club by going about it the way he has.

Paul: Not interested.

KD: Talk about rubbing salt in the wound - Newcastle are best rid of him.

Kev: He made his bed and now wants to be forgiven. If he had put in an official request it may have been different. He didn't burn his bridges, he cut down all the tress so they couldn't be rebuilt.

Anne: Actions speak louder than words.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool fan Neil Atkinson from The Anfield Wrap says he has no concerns over Alexander Isak's behaviour following the striker's record-breaking move from Newcastle.

Isak separated himself from Newcastle during pre-season and stated he had been given certain assurances about the path of his future - a claim his former club denied.

He ultimately got his desired move to Liverpool, while Newcastle recruited Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Atkinson said: "In the end Newcastle have done all right, but they could have made a few of these moves in June, had them for pre-season and their new front line-up could have played against Liverpool.

"Where Newcastle have ended up is actually a pretty decent place. There's a few clubs that have got to look back on this window and reflect about whether or not they've dealt with the long-term planning.

"From Isak's point of view, it sounds like he and his agent repeatedly made it clear he wanted to leave this summer but Newcastle refused to listen.

"More players should put in transfer requests. They should all have release clauses put in. It's madness that they don't.

"I don't think there should be these six, seven, eight-year-deals - it should be outlawed.

"All Isak could have done is repeatedly tell the club 'I want to go' and he's done that. Ultimately, Newcastle have got £125m for him.

"Eddie Howe has carried himself brilliantly through the whole process. I don't think anyone's acted dishonourably."

Yoane Wissa's deadline-day move from Brentford to Newcastle was completed with only 30 seconds to spare, after the forward initially failed to sign one of the forms. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Alexander Isak has posted a message of thanks on social media after his £125m deadline-day departure from Newcastle to Liverpool.

Despite a tumultuous summer and transfer saga for the Sweden striker, he said: "I want to express my gratitude to my team-mates, the staff and above all, the city of Newcastle and all the amazing supporters for the three unforgettable years we shared together.

"Together, we have written history and brought the club to the place where it truly belongs.

"It has been an honour to be part of the journey from reaching the Champions League to winning the first trophy in over 70 years.

"Forever grateful. Thank you, Newcastle."

How do you feel about Isak's farewell message? Tell us

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

"Right until the end."

This was the mantra behind the scenes at Newcastle United long before a draining window finally shut.

And with good reason.

It was always going to be a breathless finale and so it proved as Newcastle sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a British record £125m but brought in Yoane Wissa in a £55m deal from Brentford.

There is relief on Tyneside that Newcastle have signed a proven Premier League forward in Wissa to ease the burden on record signing Nick Woltemade, who has never played for a club outside Germany.

But, after holding firm for so long, Newcastle have also lost one of the best strikers in the world to the champions on deadline day.

That felt like an unimaginable prospect to outsiders when Isak was bouncing up and down in a celebratory huddle as the Champions League anthem played out at St James' Park after Newcastle secured qualification on the final day of last season.

But this has been a summer like no other in the club's history.

Newcastle had set out to do business early.

But it got to the point where they could have put together an almighty five-a-side team of targets who went elsewhere.

A theme started to develop.

Newcastle have their own tradition, of course, but they encountered a challenge going up against the established order for such players in the opening months of the window.

Manchester United (£364.7m) and Chelsea (£337.8m) were among five Premier League sides who splashed out more on salaries than Newcastle generated in revenue (£320.3m) in their most recently published accounts from 2023-24.

Newcastle had the eighth-largest wage bill in the same period and, after suffering a number of setbacks this summer, the club became even more determined to recruit players who were "desperate" to move.

Three of Newcastle's most expensive additions this summer - Woltemade, Wissa and Anthony Elanga - did not think twice once they learned of the club's interest.

Malick Thiaw also did not require much convincing to follow in the footsteps of Sandro Tonali and leave AC Milan for Newcastle.

Germany defender Thiaw had been in a training camp in the Lake District a few weeks before his £35m move went through when the subject of Newcastle came up.

Read more on a summer like no other in Newcastle's history

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle fan Jamie Smith from fanzine The Mag has spoken about Newcastle's "untenable" situation with Alexander Isak on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"The position had become untenable by the way that Isak's behaved over recent weeks," he said.

"You've got to be pragmatic about it and say: 'This has dragged on all summer. If we keep him beyond this, it will still be dragging on today.'

"You'd probably be talking about loans to the Middle East and Turkey, reintegrating him and letting him go in January.

"The amount of money that's been put down could be transformative in terms of next summer, when we could possibly spend a similar amount on players.

"Everyone's happy with who we've brought in. We've got some great players, it's just been a chaotic and frustrating time because of the shadow of this Isak situation.

"We all know Eddie Howe wanted to keep him and keep building that team around him. There was a genuine feeling that if he added four or five players to the great players we had last year, then we could have kicked on and challenged for something.

"What we've got now is a couple of question marks. I think Nick Woltemade looks like a great prospect but he's got to work in the Premier League. He needs to ultimately fill Isak's boots in the long run.

"We're confident we can have another great season. They've bought really well. Eddie Howe's hit rate in the transfer market is tremendous.

"But I don't think we'll know how well this window has gone for a couple of years yet."

Image source, Getty Images

Following a disappointing transfer window of rejections, Newcastle got their man on deadline day and Yoane Wissa is a Magpie.

The forward completed a move from Brentford for £55m, but have they overpaid considering he had just one year left on his contract?

"If I was running Newcastle, I would have thought that Wissa was overpriced for his age and I maybe would have sat on that money and waited for someone you really like in January or the next summer," said The Observer's Rory Smith.

"They still have William Osula, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon who can play up front.

"Their first bid was £25m and they have ended up paying £55m, so that is pretty good negotiating from Brentford.

"I wonder - in hindsight - if sometimes the deal that you don't do is valuable; there might be a player out there for £70-80m that Newcastle could have waited a year for.

"It seems a lot to pay for a player who Newcastle have been saying all summer is the replacement for Callum Wilson. It would have been a lot cheaper to keep Wilson."

But former Premier League goalkeeper Joe Hart disagrees and says it would have been a "risk" to not sign Wissa when they need to push for another European finish.

"They got into their plans that they were going to get Wissa," said Hart. "Eddie Howe had probably said that if the Alexander Isak departure happens, then we need to use it on Wissa because that is who I planned for and that is who can work this season.

"Newcastle are not an established Champions League team, they are very much in the battle to get into it and they need to stay in it. If Wissa means they have got to overpay, that is the risk they are going to take."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Newcastle's transfer window.

Here are some of your comments:

Goran: We have got a stronger team post transfers - very promising.

Davy: All in all a great window. Stronger in goalkeeping positions, stronger at the back, cover in wide positions and two strikers in who can score goals. Got rid of a player who didn't want to be here. We are now a strong and balanced squad and can now get on with the season.

Andrew: Yoane Wissa should be interesting to watch, he is better than Alexander Isak.

Gary: Disappointed with Isak choosing to leave, just as we win our first trophy and look like a decent side that could compete with the Premier League's best. But happy with the signings that we've made and really excited to see them play. Eddie Howe is an excellent manager and I believe under his guidance he will get the best out of them.

Andrew: I'm pleased with Woltemade and Wissa, but I only see one issue with these two players… which one is starting? I want to put them in my FPL team!

Steve: Two very good signings, watch this space now as we climb the table.

Will Osula will remain at Newcastle United despite deadline day interest from Eintracht Frankfurt for a season-long loan deal for the forward. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Newcastle insiders have suggested striker Alexander Isak was behaving and playing like someone who did not want the team to qualify for the Champions League from April onwards. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Newcastle have completed the signing of Yoane Wissa from Brentford for a fee of £50m plus £5m in add-ons.

The 28-year-old striker has agreed a long-term deal and will wear the number nine shirt at St James' Park.

After scoring 49 goals in 149 appearances for the Bees, Wissa has not played for the club this season after accusing Brentford of "unduly standing in my way" over a move to the North East.

How are you feeling as the window closes?

Give us your verdict on a dramatic summer at Newcastle

Liverpool have signed Swedish forward Alexander Isak from Newcastle for a British record fee of £125m.

Newcastle sources claim the deal could be worth as much as £130m with add-ons.

Sweden international Isak, 25, had a medical on Monday before signing a six-year contract and leaves Newcastle having scored 62 goals in 109 outings for the club.

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United have already broken their transfer record to sign Nick Woltemade.

But the club desperately needed another forward to help ease the burden on the new arrival, who has never played outside of Germany.

It has, therefore, been far from a coincidence that Newcastle have gone back in for a proven Premier League player like Yoane Wissa.

In truth, Newcastle never truly went away.

Rather than giving up, after having two previous bids rejected, Newcastle returned to the table in the final throes of the window.

It represents a shift in transfer policy.

Newcastle have not recruited an outfielder aged 26 or older in more than three years, but it is rather telling that an exception has been made for Wissa, who turns 29 on Wednesday.

Yet Wissa is a late bloomer rather than someone entering the twilight of his career.

For context, Wissa was playing in the French second division in 2020, but his year-on-year development has been such he went on to score more non-penalty goals (19) than any other player in the Premier League last season.

Wissa's instincts in the box as well as his fitness record and ability to plug in make him an attractive proposition for Newcastle, who only had one player hit double figures last season.

That man was, of course, Alexander Isak, who is set to complete a British record move to Liverpool.

Now it looks set to fall to Wissa to help fill the void left by the Swede.