Newcastle accelerate signing blitz in 'busiest week of the transfer window' - Keith Wyness
Newcastle United have the perfect opportunity to turn their transfer window around starting from this week.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Magpies could benefit from what is likely to be "the busiest week of the transfer window."
The trio of youngsters Bazoumana Toure, Sean Steur and Ewen Jaouen remain the Magpies' only new additions at the moment, but big things are expected in the coming weeks.
Wyness is adamant that the transfer window will "heat up considerably" now that the World Cup is over, and believes this could be a turning point for Newcastle.
Eddie Howe and Co. have been desperate to strengthen the squad at St James' Park, but have already seen several big names depart.
Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have both moved on already, and the club are continuing to try and fend off interest from Arsenal in Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle 'know' reality of what is needed
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that PIF are well aware that "marquee players" are needed after some of the headline exits so far this summer.
He also noted that work is ongoing behind the scenes to nail down the right targets, but stressed that it is not easy for clubs to get to the stage where an announcement is ready.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track, he outlined why this is likely to be a pivotal week for the transfer market.
"Newcastle have got some serious issues right now. They've got to bring in some marquee players. They know it," Wyness said.
"They've lost some of their talismen and this is really another difficult window for Newcastle. Now the World Cup's finished though, I do expect their window to heat up considerably.
"I think this week could be one of the busiest weeks of the transfer window. Maybe not in actual announcements but in terms of the work being done behind the scenes because that's how it works.
"It'll take a lot of work before an announcement actually happens, but I do expect a lot to have happened over the weekend and this week as well with the World Cup now completed."
Who are Newcastle currently linked with?
Wyness told Football Insider earlier this week that Nottingham Forest are currently ahead of Newcastle in the race to sign Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall.
However, the Tynesiders are not giving up hope of landing the 20-year-old this summer, and are expected to return with a second offer after seeing a bid of £46million rejected already.
Newcastle also have Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford as a top target, and are ready to pounce if they receive an indication that he could be allowed to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer.
The North East outfit are long-term admirers of the England goalkeeper, and came within a whisker of signing him last summer.