The football world knew they were trying to replace Liverpool-bound Alexander Isak and were set to have a massive influx of funds - 125m as it turned out. It was natural that clubs would ask the Magpies for a premium. 55m for Brentford's Yoane Wissa? No problem. 69m for Germany international Nick Woltemade? OK. Woltemade, 23, has started the season well, scoring twice in three Premier League appearances and once in the Champions League, and looks an excellent signing.
For the first time in his career, the 6ft 6in forward realised he was not the tallest player in the dressing room after completing his club-record move from Stuttgart last month. Alongside Dan Burn (6ft 7in), the German now finds himself surrounded by other imposing figures, including Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Joelinton and William Osula. These players do not all start for Newcastle at any one given time, but this towering side still have all the ingredients to carry a threat at set-plays.
The Swiss centre-back, who has become a pillar of Newcastle's defence since arriving for just 3 million, has been sidelined after suffering a heavy blow to the head in the midweek Champions League tie against Barcelona. As per the strict concussion protocols in the Premier League, Schar was forced into a mandatory 12-day recovery period, having now endured two such incidents in a short space of time.
Isidor is someone I really admire. When he was playing in the Championship, I was thinking, This boy's got all the credentials to play in the Premier League'. I'm glad to see him in the Premier League now. I'm glad to see him scoring for Sunderland. Three goals? At the moment, you'd have to say him, wouldn't you? Woltemade has done nothing at the moment. He's scored one goal in his first season. He needs to play more.
"We have had the biggest change to the squad in my time here," Howe said. "In an ideal world, you have a full six-week pre-season, you iron out any issues you have and you're forming your partnerships and team relationships. Then, as you start the season, they're formed. "We're in that position now where we are going to have to do that as we play. I've got no issue doing that. I've done it before."