Newcastle to be 'one of busiest clubs' in summer window as PIF watch transfer business ‘very closely’ - Keith Wyness
Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson is set to face plenty of scrutiny from the club’s PIF ownership in the coming months.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Magpies must show a marked improvement from last summer’s transfer business.
The North East outfit splashed out eye-watering sums on the likes of Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga, and haven’t received the return on their investments that they were hoping for.
That trio delivered just nine Premier League goals between them this term, and they have all had their futures at St James’ Park seriously questioned in recent months.
Newcastle’s targets are already clear this time around, and Wyness feels that they must have a far better window, or their recruitment chief could pay for it.
Newcastle set for ‘defining’ transfer window this summer
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 Newcastle are facing a “defining” window this time around.
He believes that their recruitment team “got it wrong” last time out and will be desperate to rectify their previous mistakes this time around.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness made it clear that Wilson and the rest of the recruitment department are under pressure to hit the right notes in the upcoming window.
“This is a very, very important transfer window for Newcastle. They got it wrong the last couple of windows, and so this one is going to be pretty crucial,” he said.
“Ross Wilson is under the spotlight with Eddie Howe, and you know that PIF are going to be watching very closely as to how the window transpires. There’s a lot of movement that’s going to happen at Newcastle this summer, both in midfield, defence and forwards.
“They could be one of the busiest clubs in the transfer window. I expect a lot of rumours and negotiations to be happening right until the very end. It's a crucial defining window for Newcastle this time.”
Magpies leading Ethan Nwaneri race
Wyness also told Football Insider that Newcastle are leading the race to sign Ethan Nwaneri on loan from Arsenal this summer.
The likes of Everton and West Ham have also been linked with moves for the winger, but Wyness is adamant that the Tynesiders are leading the charge after speaking to his contacts.
Nwaneri is extremely highly rated at the Emirates Stadium, and the Gunners are keen to keep him in the Premier League for his next loan move, after a spell with Marseille struggled to ignite in recent months.
The 19-year-old has been on the radar at St James’ for a while, and the club are now well-placed to be able to bring him in ahead of next season.