For a bit of fun, we fired up the immensely popular simulation game Football Manager, and got it to predict an alternative summer transfer window for the Magpies. Take a look at the players that it predicted Steve Bruce's side to buy and sell.
. IN - Christian Gunter - Freiburg - £6m
Rather than Jamal Lewis, FM opted for the Magpies to bring in the German left-back. His long-throw attribute rating is outrageous, and could be a set-piece weapon for his new side. Photo: Matthias Hangst
. OUT - Isaac Hayden - Aston Villa - £13.75m
A real blow for Newcastle here, who were unable to persuade the former Arsenal man to stay. Photo: Pool
. IN - Rubin Sobrino - Valencia - £3m
A striker with just 29 goals in 206 career appearances...what could possibly go wrong? Not exactly strengthening the side, this one. Photo: Eric Alonso
. OUT - Yannick Toure - Birmingham City - £350k
The Blues snapped up Toure on the cheap, after embarking on a major squad overhaul themselves. The game estimates him to be worth double what they paid. Photo: Charlotte Tattersall
. IN - Sikou Niakate - EA Guincamp - £5m
The Magpies' forays into the French market have yielded mixed results in the past, but they came back for another bite at the cherry. The young defender looks an excellent prospect. Photo: MIKKO STIG
. OUT - Matt Ritchie - Auxerre - £8.5m
A rather left-field transfer, here. The Scotland international was picked up for a decent fee by the Ligue 1 also-rans, and he's handed a pretty healthy wage packet too. Photo: Stu Forster
. IN - Patrik Schick - Roma - £16m
Now you're talking! Newcastle swooped for the Czech international striker, who impressed on loan with RB Leipzig last season. He's just joined Bayer Leverkusen in real life. Photo: INA FASSBENDER
1. IN - Christian Gunter - Freiburg - £6m
Rather than Jamal Lewis, FM opted for the Magpies to bring in the German left-back. His long-throw attribute rating is outrageous, and could be a set-piece weapon for his new side. Photo: Matthias Hangst
2. OUT - Isaac Hayden - Aston Villa - £13.75m
A real blow for Newcastle here, who were unable to persuade the former Arsenal man to stay. Photo: Pool
3. IN - Rubin Sobrino - Valencia - £3m
A striker with just 29 goals in 206 career appearances...what could possibly go wrong? Not exactly strengthening the side, this one. Photo: Eric Alonso
4. OUT - Yannick Toure - Birmingham City - £350k
The Blues snapped up Toure on the cheap, after embarking on a major squad overhaul themselves. The game estimates him to be worth double what they paid. Photo: Charlotte Tattersall