Newcastle United learn new 2025 transfer priority as £12m man responds to 'agreement' claim

After Brentford, questions were asked, criticism was maybe at an all-time high. But Howe’s side have come through with flying colours. Three games, three wins, up to seventh in the Premier League table and a Carabao Cup semi-final to look forward to.

Although wins over Leicester City and Brentford were comfortable, yesterday’s visit to Ipswich Town was perhaps the most comfortable of the lot. A hat-trick for Alexander Isak (finally!) and a goal from Jacob Murphy made it 4-0, yet it could have been so much more.

Here are our takeaways from the win at Portman Road:

'Brunali' combo lights up Portman Road

Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali are really 'purring' right. And it's fair to say Newcastle United fans are feeling the 'Brunali' love. It's taken Eddie Howe a while to trust the duo to play together consistently, but it'll take a whole lot longer to prise them apart.

The Italian looks bulky and quick, showing football smarts to sniff danger and deal with the opposition threat at source. Sprinkled with calmness and quality on the ball, Tonali is thriving as the centre man.

And by taking that responsibility off Bruno, who is still without doubt one of the best 6s in the business, has freed his Brazilian pal to cause havoc further up the park. Bruno now looks like scoring and creating, much like he did when Jonjo Shelvey played off him in his first six months.

No one does it better than Alexander Isak

Now, I’ve not seen every striker in world football but I can’t think of many better than Alexander Isak!

He hasn't got Erling Haaland's physique and raw energy, but nor has the fellow Scandinavian got the feet, balance and poise of Isak. Both are lethal finishers, of course. Robert Lewandowski is the best scorer still in action, but his best days are behind him, almost. Harry Kane probably falls into that category, too.

So for me, when it comes to world leaders, I'm not sure anyone can do what Isak does, as well as he does. He is unique in every sense of the word.

“Yeah absolutely, he is a world-class talent,” Howe agreed with NewcastleWorld. “The way he took his goals today, he's got that coolness in front of goal and composure that very few players have.

“And then you add his other qualities into the mix - how quick he is and how technically gifted he is. For me, he's got it all.”

The 'brace' stat eventually binned

Newcastle players scored 36 'braces' in nearly six years without getting a magic third. Up until Saturday, Ayoze Perez was the last to do it for United, back in 2019 against Southampton.

Step forward the main man, Isak. Three poacher's finishes on the day, for a man who has made a name for himself in scoring much more elegant strikes than those, but few will count for more, as he walked away with the match ball, having failed to convert two-goal salvos on eight occasions for United.

It's nice to see the player write his name in the Newcastle history books. Fingers crossed this is the first of many for the Swede.

“I'd be lying if I said I knew that, especially the braces! But I'm pleased for Alex - I'm surprised it has taken him this long to get a hat-trick with the qualities he's had,” said Howe. “I know he's got a lot of individual goals, a lot of doubles but I'm pleased because it's a unique thing, you get the match ball and get to take that, and it's a good you'll never forget.

“A first hat-trick for Newcastle is a big moment, we take great pride in our players performing well so hopefully there is another one around the corner.”

Who needs a new right winger, eh?

Newcastle have been linked with a move for PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko in recent weeks - and it seems Jacob Murphy has taken it personally.

It’s probably a coincidence but since those links emerged, the 29-year-old has been a man in form and has the numbers to back it up after his stunning goal and cheeky assist at Portman Road made it three goals and three assists in as many games.

“For me, it's never been in doubt how good Jacob is and his qualities,” said Howe. “In our Champions League qualification season, I thought he was magnificent. He dovetailed with Miggy and contributed massively to our success.

“Murph's game has steadily got better this season, I think he's in a really good moment now by scoring and assisting and that's what traditionally he always did for us.”

Murphy isn’t the long-term answer on Newcastle’s right-hand side, a position that hasn’t been upgraded since the takeover over three years ago, but he serves a real purpose in this squad.

His re-introduction came when Gordon struggled after being passed pillar to post. Joelinton was even trialled on the right side. Murphy, as proven, brings a proper balance to United’s attack.

Martin Dubravka makes a difference

Martin Dubravka might well be heading out the exit door at St James' Park next month, but he's not going to leave, if it even happens, without his head held high.

The player's time as United No.1 is almost certainly over, but in the last three games, he's not only shown himself to be a top shot stopper, rolling back the years when called upon, but also managing to add a different dynamic to Newcastle's play - an actual footballing goalkeeper.

Nick Pope's anything but calm on the ball, often looking totally ill at ease when given anything to do with his feet. Dubravka has been the antithesis of that. And, against opposition when United have most of the ball, it's given a fresh dynamic, allowing Dan Burn and Fabian Schar to play with more confidence.

Dubravka's medium to long range passing has also been positive.

I think we all know Dubravka isn't the answer if Newcastle want to progress, but he's definitely proved that recruiting a footballer from the back is an absolute must in 2025.