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Newcastle United will continue to do it their way in the transfer window this summer.

United’s “way” has attracted criticism in the past and while many were worried about initial slow progress in the window, July is turning out to be a solid month of progress.

After landing Georginio Wijnaldum from PSV Eindhoven for £14.5m – the biggest fee of the Mike Ashley era – and moving to the brink of signing Aleksandar Mitrovic from Anderlecht for around £11.5m, few can complain at the calibre of the first two signings. The pair are proven in Holland and Belgium and should now be hungry to show what they can do for the Magpies in the Premier League.

Wijnaldum is renowned for his creativity while Mitrovic thrives off good service into the box – if all goes to plan it could be the dream ticket.

If Steve McClaren can also get the likes of Moussa Sissoko, Siem de Jong, Remy Cabella and Rolando Aarons playing to their potential around the duo, a season of attacking football could be on the cards.

McClaren has only been in the job for three weeks and, like any new manager, is assessing what he has inherited.

However, after spending a week in the company of the Magpies here in the United States the vibe seems to be positive.

Certainly in previous pre-seasons I’ve covered abroad that hasn’t always been the case and there have been little niggles around the squad.

But with transfer gossip in the air among the players and supporters there is a sense of - dare I say - optimism around the place.

The Mitrovic deal is one that Newcastle have worked on for some time and there is likely to be more to follow in the coming weeks.

It is understood that there is one name in particular on Newcastle’s shortlist that will get supporters excited IF the Magpies can pull it off.

(Image: PA Wire)

Managing director Lee Charnley’s track record of making signings in his first year in charge has already run into double figures and that tally is set to rise.

Defensive targets are next and, while many expected a double deal on Mitrovic and Chancel Mbemba Mangulu from Anderlecht, the move for the defender would be a separate transaction all together. It's worth noting that the 20-year-old’s own representatives are in charge of negotiations - not just Anderlecht and Newcastle.

Another player who would be interested in teaming up with McClaren is former FC Twente man Douglas who is plying his trade at Dinamo Moscow these days.

For all the frustration at the start of the window when fans feared signings wouldn’t be made the club’s “football board” are working hard and, at least with Mitrovic and Wijnaldum, they are delivering what they see as good value.

Like any pre-season, there could be outgoings, but observers of the club’s tour of the US so far will have noted that big-name squad members like Sissoko and Dutch keeper Tim Krul look content with life around them, with the Dutch contingent now swelling to five members in Krul, Wijnaldum, Daryl Janmaat, Vurnon Anita and De Jong.

Krul is the first to admit last season’s difficulties were tough, but remains a class act in the Premier League and can only thrive on what’s around him.

It’s a theme that appears to be gathering momentum at Newcastle this summer.

What happened last season is in the past - now is the time to look forward, with new faces on board, to a brighter season ahead.