What is going on at St James’ Park? Will Newcastle United ever make another signing without being gazumped? Will they have any good players left by the start of the season?We have pulled together some of the best bits from The Athletic’s live Q&A for Newcastle subscribers on Monday afternoon featuring writers Chris Waugh and George Caulkin. Some of the questions and responses have been edited for brevity.I know there is an element of panic that deals haven’t made it across the finish line, but isn’t there a level of confidence within the club that the players we already have will improve? – Kevin DWaugh: Although missing out on Victor Munoz was a significant setback and the same would be true of Johan Manzambi, Newcastle claim they have alternatives and a plan they believe in.On Manzambi, Aston Villa are pushing hard to sign the Switzerland international but, while Newcastle are looking at other midfielders in case they cannot bring in their first choice, not everyone inside the club has entirely ruled out resurrecting the deal (others seem more resigned). There have been doubts throughout the pursuit about Manzambi’s desire to join, given he had never outright committed to the transfer while suggesting he would be open to the move, and evidently he has at least been tempted by the promise of Champions League football at Villa Park.With the ongoing uncertainty over Bruno Guimaraes and given that Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, two of Newcastle’s best players, have already left, I entirely understand why many fans are concerned about where the team is at and the strength of the squad going into pre-season. Eddie Howe will harbour worries over that, too, given he will be expected to mould together a successful team.Yet it is not all doom and gloom. Lewis Miley has signed a long-term contract, almost £170m has been generated from player sales (much of which will be reinvested), and Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga will have the opportunity to better understand Howe’s methods during pre-season. The core of Newcastle’s squad is still good.However, that is not to gloss over the fact that significant reinforcements are still required in the market. The three players Newcastle have signed so far are promising and have huge room for growth, but are any ready to start the first game against Liverpool? That is questionable, meaning Howe’s first XI has actually been weakened so far, rather than strengthened.Positive progress in the market, be that by somehow getting the Manzambi deal done or bringing in an alternative midfielder, would provide a much-needed boost for everyone, inside and outside of the clubJohan Manzambi may now be heading to Aston Villa (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)With so much change, players wanting to leave and players not wanting to come to us for varying reasons, who can we be linked to and think, ‘Yeah, I see that happening’? – Michael KCaulkin: A year ago, Newcastle went for established, largely Premier League-ready players and were blown away. After Alexander Isak left, they panicked. The plan this time – and it is a plan – is to identify younger, hungry players who will be on the radar of most clubs but to get to them first. This is what they did with people like Guimaraes, Sven Botman and others in the early days post-takeover.However, they are not alone in this market; all clubs want to outsmart their rivals and find value. To my mind, they need to make a couple of really good signings to prove that Tyneside is still a desirable destination for footballers, that they can improve and be ambitious there. I don’t think that’s beyond them.Are the hierarchy happy with the current crop of strikers? Has Osula cemented a starting spot after his run of form towards the end of the season? – Dan CWaugh: As things stand, Newcastle are not actively pursuing another out-and-out striker. Howe only tends to play with one, even if Nick Woltemade may be deployed as a No 10 (should the 4-2-3-1 system be persisted with, though I have my doubts that it will be), and Newcastle already have three senior centre-forwards.The club did explore whether there was a market for Yoane Wissa, but seemingly the financial hit required to move on the DR Congo international this summer did not make sense. There is also hope that, following a morale-boosting World Cup and with an actual full pre-season behind him, the former Brentford striker will display far more of his talents in 2026-27.Woltemade, meanwhile, suffered a dispiriting World Cup and it remains to be seen where he fits into Howe’s plans. It has never felt like there is natural harmony between Woltemade and Howe’s style but, like with Wissa, Newcastle are unlikely to get their money back on the Germany international this summer.Will Nick Woltemade’s second season at Newcastle be better than his first? (Serena Taylor/Getty Images)Osula is very much in line to start the new campaign as the No 9. He earned his opportunity during the back end of last season and then grasped it. Now it is about the Denmark international proving he can perform consistently in the Premier League.It is not beyond the realms of possibility that later in the window there is movement inwards and outwards on the striker front, but Howe is planning as if those three will be his centre-forwards for the campaign.If I understand correctly, Amanda Staveley is working again with the Reuben brothers for another fund to invest in football clubs. Are the Reubens eyeing an exit? – Kevin FCaulkin: Staveley, Newcastle’s former part-owner, has been building a fund to buy into football and/or other sports. My understanding is that the Reuben family have some involvement but insist there would be no conflict with Newcastle. I don’t know the details of how the fund works or its structure and they haven’t taken a stake anywhere yet, but Jamie Reuben is adamant he remains fully committed to Newcastle.