Newcastle's transfer need and the new pressure Eddie Howe will have to 'embrace'

The new season is already upon us, and Newcastle United have long since announced the signing of one of their top targets this summer. However, there is a growing frustration in the club and among fans that Eddie Howe is yet to secure the attacking reinforcements he craves.

The Magpies' attempt to land Hugo Ekitike ended in failure for a second successive window, with the Reims wonderkid instead joining Paris Saint-Germain. Howe has bemoaned the 'elevated prices' which Newcastle have often been quoted, and the head coach admits the club are working through a 'small pool' of targets.

United's build-up to the opening-day clash with Nottingham Forest has largely been overshadowed by the public pursuit of James Maddison. As it stands, Newcastle are again weighing up their options having seen two offers for the attacking midfielder turned down by Leicester City.

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In the midst of another drawn-out negotiation, it is easy to forget Howe was able to swiftly bring in Nick Pope and Matt Target on a permanent basis earlier in the window. Newcastle also saw off competition from AC Milan to land their top defensive target in Sven Botman.

Warren Barton believes there are shades of the Kevin Keegan era on Tyneside with the current expectation levels and flurries of transfer business. The former Newcastle full-back feels it has already been another 'great' window on Tyneside, and reckons the anticipation and occasional frustration is just a product of the momentum shift at St James' Park.

He told ChronicleLive: "Straight away, as soon as the season ended they went for the ones they wanted. Botman came in, Targett did great, and obviously