Newcastle United have finally clawed their way out of a mentally taxing summer transfer window that put a dampener on last season's stunning successes under Eddie Howe's wing.

Well, it certainly felt that way for much of the market, but the truth is that United have pieced together a talented squad despite the noise from Alexander Isak and, indeed, the last-gasp sale of the Sweden striker to Liverpool for a record-breaking £125m fee.

Isak's Premier League record before joining Liverpool.

Now that the distractions of the transfer window are out of the way, Newcastle can work toward restoring their fluency and fizz, that special something that allowed Howe to engineer title triumph in the Carabao Cup and qualification in the Champions League.

For United have toiled thus far, claiming two points from three games in the Premier League and lacking their usual bite in the final third. Saturday's goalless draw at Leeds United typified that fact, especially in the absence of the suspended Anthony Gordon (and, of course, Isak).

New strikers, anyone?

Newcastle's new strikers

On deadline day, Newcastle signed Yoane Wissa from Brentford for £50m. It had been in the works for a while, and the DR Congo international got his wish at the eleventh hour, bringing plenty of prolific Premier League experience to Howe's squad.

The 28-year-old scored 19 league goals last season and will be expected to provide a reliable focal point at the front of Howe's system, especially when flanked with so much robust creative quality.

But in Nick Woltemade, 23, the Magpies have what might be defined a more fitting and long-term Isak heir, the German having arrived from Stuttgart in a club-record £69m package, hailed by the likes of talent scout Jacek Kulig hailing him for his "unique profile", standing at 6 foot 6 and yet with such deftness and skill on the ball.

Looking at how the two strikers compare, it's clear that Newcastle have done shrewd work in replacing Isak with two contrasting profiles, each carrying strengths fit for a club of United's stature.

However, neither will likely establish themselves as the standout from the off, not when Anthony Gordon knows that it is his time to step up now that Isak has left for pastures new.

Newcastle hit gold on Anthony Gordon

Gordon might not be in the good books right now, having served one match of a three-game suspension after challenging Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk with his studs up, but he's one of Newcastle's best players.

Anthony Gordon is sent off for Newcastle

In fact, now that Isak has been sold and as the new boys settle in, he might consider himself to be Howe's attacking talisman, having proven himself to be one of the deadliest in the Premier League already on Tyneside.

Hailed as a “relentless machine” by journalist Sripad, Gordon notched 22 goal involvements across the 2023/24 Premier League season, winning the club's Player of the Year for his labours.

Indeed, Liverpool looked to sign the Three Lions winger last summer, and again this year, with recent reports on the matter suggesting that he had been valued in the ballpark of £100m.

Such is Gordon's quality, with his price tag stretching above that of Wissa and Woltemade, talented players both, but perhaps not on his level.

Ultimately, Gordon is an imperfect forward, but one with so much quality and potential yet reached. He's already worth a pretty penny, but his commitment to the cause cannot be questioned, and he might now be the cream of Howe's attacking crop.