For three successive years, June has proven to be a testing month for Newcastle United.Having already been gazumped by Liverpool (again), this time for Victor Munoz, their star midfielder Sandro Tonali looks destined to depart.So what does the rest of the summer hold? And has any progress been made with off-field infrastructure projects?Chris Waugh answers your questions in this mailbag.Is there any credible transfer strategy? Selling Tonali before any additional signings is a great way for fans to turn — Euan MIs there a possibility we’re holding off on deals until July when the new financial window is open? — Matt UWaugh: The consistent message has been that a clear transfer strategy is in place and Newcastle are determined not to repeat last summer’s mistakes (the expenditure from which is affecting their capacity to invest now). Failing to qualify for Europe has hit revenues, too.Inside Newcastle, they reference “Moneyball” — the 2003 book about how the Oakland Athletics baseball team assembled a competitive side on a lower budget — and while they are not pretending to be enacting a replica strategy, the hierarchy do talk about the need to be “smarter” and creative.Players under 24 have predominantly been targeted post-takeover and that has been reaffirmed. Newcastle are working on multiple deals simultaneously, including for players in the same position, and are confident their blueprint will deliver a successful window. The plan is there, they insist, and judgement will arrive in September.Ideally, Tonali would only be sold once first-XI signings arrive. But letting Tonali go would also free up money and, if Newcastle receive an acceptable bid, they may have to accept it, despite the poor timing. The optics, given the already negative mood setting in among the fanbase, would not be great, mind.As for whether Newcastle are waiting until the new footballing financial year, sources insist not. They wanted to sign Munoz, have been working on other deals and already have the proceeds from Anthony Gordon’s sale (which theoretically gave them scope to act early).Will Tonali wave goodbye to Newcastle this summer? (George Wood/Getty Images)Are the links to Kees Smit credible? Do Newcastle believe it’s a deal they can do? — Joseph SWhy does it seem the club will wait to sell Tonali before bringing in Lamine Camara or Smit? Why wait to negotiate from a position of weakness? — Seth HWaugh: Newcastle really like AZ Alkmaar’s Smit and enquired about him last summer. They would love to sign the 20-year-old — but do not believe they are going to. Insiders were bemused by claims Newcastle had re-engaged on Smit because, since the winter, they have been convinced he will go to an elite European club.On selling Tonali before bringing in a replacement, your concern is fair and Newcastle know that too. Preferably he would only go once a midfielder is already acquired — given prices will likely rise once Newcastle have secured the funds for the Italian — but the order of events in the market do not always go according to plan.Monaco’s Camara is someone Newcastle have watched long term and is currently playing at the World Cup, so his involvement with Senegal may be holding up a potential move for the 22-year-old (be that to Tyneside or elsewhere).Do Newcastle scout at the World Cup? Could that change plans? — Craig BWaugh: Several — if not most — of Newcastle’s targets are at the World Cup. For Munoz that did not act as an impediment, but most players are unlikely to move until their nations have been eliminated.Newcastle are watching closely but it would be a surprise if they dramatically altered their list based upon a player they were not seriously considering beforehand excelling at the World Cup. Their targets are already largely established, with months of background work carried out.More of a concern is actually whether a player they believed to be attainable really impresses and their price increases or, more damagingly, an elite club rivals Newcastle for their signature.Will Newcastle go back in for James Trafford or sign a more experienced goalkeeper? Is there a deadline to decide Nick Pope’s future? — Kevin BWaugh: Eddie Howe wants a new No 1 as a priority. Ewen Jaouen has huge potential but Newcastle want him to challenge another goalkeeper in 2026-27.Trafford is the man Howe has sought for two years and the Manchester City shot-stopper remains the ‘keeper he would ideally like to sign. A “more experienced goalkeeper”, does not necessarily mean someone a lot older, but could be someone of the profile of Trafford, who may be just 23 but is an England international who has played in the Premier League.With Pope, there is no deadline per se. Newcastle cannot permit the 34-year-old to leave until they have signed/are signing a replacement. That may lead potential suitors for Pope to look elsewhere and it is not out of the question that Pope stays even if a goalkeeper arrives.James Trafford is a long-term target of Eddie Howe (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)Why didn’t the club just trigger Munoz’s release clause? — Lainie BIs it overstated that Newcastle got ‘hijacked’ for Munoz? It’s clear we’re trying to compete with smart business, to sign lower-profile players for less — azouzi9185Is Munoz a repeat of last summer’s failed strategy? Should the club lower its sights for targets? — Joe PWaugh: The background to the Munoz deal collapsing and why Newcastle did not trigger his release clause is explained here.