'We only want players who want to play for Newcastle'

[Getty Images] Newcastle have already bounced back once this summer. After Liverpool signed Victor Munoz, Newcastle discreetly pivoted to winger Bazoumana Toure, who completed a £43m move from Hoffenheim. They will have to bounce back again. Newcastle had been a little cautious about Johan Manzambi, given the interest elsewhere, and it is understood the club moved on before Aston Villa's push to sign him became public. There has certainly been a shift in approach in this window. After qualifying for the Champions League and ending a seven-decade wait to win a major domestic trophy - the EFL Cup in 2025 - Newcastle went toe-to-toe with the league's highest-earning clubs for several star players last summer. The competition has still been intense for targets this time around, but Newcastle are looking at a different profile. Should that come as a huge surprise? Only five Premier League clubs had an older average starting age than Newcastle during a bruising domestic campaign last season, when Eddie Howe's side finished 12th. Young players need time to develop, but Newcastle have looked to target talents before they potentially become out of reach and cost more than £60m. It is rather telling Newcastle's three signings of the summer transfer window – Toure, midfielder Sean Steur and goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen - were all aged 20 and under, hungry to develop and keen on making the move to St James' Park. Toure had other offers, but it is understood the Ivory Coast international had wanted to move to Newcastle "for a long time". Such a desire felt significant given head coach Howe has repeatedly made it clear he wants players who are "desperate" to play for the club. It will also have struck a chord with Newcastle supporter Colin Mitchell after missing out on Munoz and co. "With the events of last summer, and the couple of knockbacks we've had so far, it's hard to defend," Mitchell said. "But deep down the club is still very attractive to the right players, and we only want players who want to play for Newcastle." Read more from Ciaran