The triple £47m deal Newcastle United can replicate as Manchester United rejected

From PSR panic, departures and new arrivals - both on and off the pitch - it’s certainly been eventful. And to reflect back on the last seven days, NewcastleWorld editor Liam Kennedy and writer Jordan Cronin answers some key questions.

It's been a crazy week so let's start at the beginning... what are your thoughts on the sales of Elliot Anderson & Yankuba Minteh?

LK: “Strange really, but it was the biggest relief ever to see Newcastle beat any points deduction and PSR fears, but there was sadness seeing these two go, for very different reasons.

“While it was a disappointment never to the pacey excitement of Minteh in black and white, it was perhaps more of a pull on the heart strings seeing one of our own depart in Anderson.

“He's never quite been the player we all wanted him to be on Tyneside, but I've got no doubt some of those Anderson shoulder drops will excite in the East Midlands. The money, of course, made it a no brainer to sell.”

JC: “As much as I would have liked Anderson to stay and fulfil his potential on Tyneside, selling him made sense, not just because his £35m fee equalled the club’s record sale but because there were several other players ahead of him in the pecking order.

“I also think Minteh will go on to have a very good career but no one can deny that making a £26m profit on a player that never kicked a ball in black and white is great business.

“PSR is a farce and it’s shame two young lads were scarified but while the rules are in play, they need followed and I’m so glad Newcastle avoided a potential 10-point disaster.”

Newcastle have brought it Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy. How do you see the goalkeeping situation?

LK: “Completed. I think that double signing basically kicks the can of the No.1 position down the road to next summer. Newcastle will replace Nick Pope at some point, but it won't be this summer, now. I love Pope, but know they'd feel a footballer improve things in that department, rather than an out-and-out stopper.”

JC: “I think that’s it in terms of goalkeepers signings this summer, so take Giorgi Mamardashvili out of your ‘dream’ starting XI! I do expect Martin Dubravka to leave though with Vlachodimos installed as second choice and Ruddy as third.”

Dan Ashworth has gone and Paul Mitchell is the new sporting director. Have NUFC upgraded?

LK: “Absolutely. Of that, I have zero doubt. His CV is second-to-none of all available. The whole Ashworth saga has left a real bad taste, not only towards the player, but also Manchester United and their rather questionable new chief. Mike Ashley Mk2 springs to mind. However, onwards and upwards and for me, the devil will be in the detail.

“If Mitchell gets more power re transfers, it could be a masterstroke. In that manner, the summer will be watched with a keen eye how it plays out, and how the balance of transfer power shifts, or remains very much the same.”

JC: “Absolutely x2! Considering the way Sir Jim Ratcliffe has acted, often moaning to the media like a spoilt child about Newcastle’s ‘absurd’ demands for Dan Ashworth, it’s rather satisfying that the Magpies have poached the man the Red Devils also wanted earlier this year.

“A glance at Mitchell’s CV and it’s hard not to be impressed by his work, whether be scouting, recruitment or performance. I also like that he’s challenged himself outside the Premier League with RB Leipzig and Monaco.

“He’s a hard man to employ with Liverpool and Chelsea previously linked, which suggests this is one hell of a coup. His contact list will be huge.”

How do you see Mitchell and Eddie Howe working together?

LK: “As mentioned, it will be intriguing to see. Howe is a champion of having as much as control as possible over policy, deals and strategy. The Mitchell appointment seems to fly in the face of that.”

JC: “Newcastle will be missing the trick if they don’t give Mitchell a significant say over transfer, which it sounds like they are (that was a luxury Ashworth didn’t get btw).

“Sadio Mane (Southampton - £11m), Son Heung-min (Tottenham - £22m) and Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig - £14m) are just some of the gems he’s unearthed.”

Although NUFC's PSR situation seems to be resolved, would you consider other sales?

LK: “Yes, absolutely. I've said for a while some form of major surgery would be a good thing. I've never been sure it would come this summer, but the early mood music is that it will.”

JC: “Yes, and Miguel Almiron is top of my sell list. I’m not against him staying, in fact I think he’d be a decent squad player, but if Newcastle can get £20m from Saudi then it’s a no brainer in my eyes.

“I also think United have decisions to make regarding Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier, both of whom are into the final year of their contract. Whatever happens with Wilson, I still think Eddie Howe need another striker to support Alexander Isak.”