The opposing transfer windows of Norwich City and Newcastle United

By Callum Castel-Nuovo

Given Newcastle and Norwich’s recent Premier League record, fans may have the idea that Norwich are destined for instant relegation once again, whilst Newcastle will maintain safety. This will be based on Newcastle’s consistency over the last four Premier League seasons compared to Norwich who continue to get relegated the season after they get promoted to the top flight. However, both clubs have had contrasting transfer windows that indicate the clubs may head in different directions.

Newcastle allowed Christian Atsu, Yoshinori Muto, Florian Lejeune and Andy Carroll to leave for free this summer, whilst only acquiring one permanent signing in Joe Willock. The £26m arrival of Willock from Arsenal is one that is well received around St. James' Park after a successful loan spell. Nevertheless, this signing means that Newcastle’s squad is the same as last season other than Santiago Munoz’s arrival on loan and the multiple departures.

Newcastle United released a statement via social media attempting to justify their lack of transfer incomings. Within this statement, it was said: “Having finished last season in 12th place in the Premier League, and in the top six of the form table over the final nine fixtures, the club at all levels maintains a strong belief in its current squad.”

Within the final nine fixtures of that season, it is to be noted that Newcastle were victorious over Fulham, Sheffield United, Burnley, Leicester and West Ham which may leave fans feeling disgruntled with this attempt to paper over the cracks. With the club attempting to justify the lack of spending by referring to covid-19 and the clubs transfer model of only spending the amount the club makes, one fan took to social media to express concern over the statement...

With the lack of investment on a thin squad that could suffer if Callum Wilson or Allan Saint-Maximin are absent during the season, a manager not backed and an owner attempting to sell the club, things are looking bleak for Newcastle United.

Norwich on the other hand appear to have learned lessons from their 2019/20 campaign after finishing rock bottom of the Premier League with 21 points. During this campaign, Norwich opted for the Leeds/Brentford approach and kept hold of key promotion players such as Emi Buendia, Teemu Pukki, Onel Hernandez and Max Aarons whilst only bringing in a few players. This method relies upon backing the squad that got the club promoted whilst using familiarity and momentum to keep the club afloat throughout the season. This approach did not work for Norwich.

However, Norwich have taken a U-turn this season. Though it may not have been through choice with Buendia requesting to leave, Norwich had a reported £34.5m (Transfermarkt.com) to spread across the squad for replacements.

This money was spread wisely across seven permanent squad players that all cost less than £10m, including new attacking threats Milot Rashica, Christos Tzolis and Josh Sargent who bring a lot of excitement to Carrow Road. The Buendia money was also used to take advantage of the loan market. Former Liverpool loanee Ozan Kabak, Manchester United’s Brandon Williams and most notably, Billy Gilmour have arrived at Norwich looking to make an impact.

With notable shifts in Norwich’s methods and Daniel Farke continuing to steer the ship, the Norwich faithful will be hoping that the Canaries can stay in the Premier League this time around. Though Norwich have gained 0 points in three games so far this season, games against Liverpool, Manchester City and Leicester were always going to be difficult. With those difficult fixtures out of the way, the Canaries will be looking get their season up and running and will be hopeful of getting their first points on the board at the Emirates against Arsenal on Saturday.

It was a contrasting transfer window for Newcastle and Norwich with the latter freshening up their squad with several permanent transfers and multiple key loans whilst Newcastle only brought in one fresh face. However, it remains to be seen whether both teams will avoid the drop or if either will be in trouble again.