This summer is shaping up to be one of the all-time worst transfer windows in Premier League history as Newcastle United fail to land any of their targets.
When the Magpies signed Anthony Elanga on July 11, there was a lot of hope that this was to be the first of many in what was a summer of transformation for the club and yet, almost a month on, Newcastle have only added Aaron Ramsdale on loan.
Meanwhile, almost every target they have gone for has rejected them, often for clubs that are not even in the Champions League. Here’s a full XI of the players who have said no to Newcastle so far this summer:
GK: James Trafford
After an incredible season with Burnley last time out, Trafford always looked likely to be on the move and for a long time it seemed his destination would be St James’ Park.
Newcastle agreed a fee of £31million for the English shot-stopper, but a clause in his contract meant that Manchester City, who Burnley signed him from in 2023, had the option to match any bid that was accepted.
With Ederson getting on, City duly took up that option and, faced with a choice of Manchester or Newcastle, Trafford opted for the former.
CB: Marc Guehi
Newcastle United’s interest in Guehi goes back to last summer when Palace rejected a £70million bid for their captain.
Fast forward 12 months and with a year remaining on his deal, Guehi’s price has been slashed – not that it has made it any easier for Newcastle.
They have reignited their interest only to find their arch enemy of this summer, Liverpool, may well beat them to it.
CB: Dean Huijsen
Back in April, Newcastle were reported as one of four clubs interested in Bournemouth centre-back Huijsen, but they were ultimately beaten to the signing by Real Madrid.
The Spanish giants submitted a bid of £50million, triggering his release clause, and it was an easy choice for the defender.
CB: Malick Thiaw (potentially)
In fairness to the Newcastle board, this transfer may still come off, but the signing of Thiaw looks like it could be a tricky one.
Fabrizio Romano reported on Tuesday that Newcastle were “set to approach” Milan over the centre-back.
But a failed move to Como this summer has already shown the player’s reluctance to leave the San Siro.
Italian media believes the player’s “priority was and is to stay at Milan,” which may mean Newcastle end up with another rejection.
CM: Holy Mohammed
Newcastle, alongside Manchester United and Chelsea, were reported as being interested in West Ham’s Kudus back in June, but ultimately they were beaten to the punch by Spurs.
Thomas Frank’s side stumped up £55million for the 24-year-old with West Ham accepting a bid that was £30million less than his release clause.
At that price, Newcastle opted to look elsewhere.
CM: Joao Pedro
Another attack-minded player that slipped through the Newcastle net was Brighton’s Pedro.
Newcastle submitted a bid of £50million for the Brazilian, but it was turned down by the Seagulls.
To make matters worse, it was revealed that the player wanted to join Chelsea and was therefore unwilling to push a move to Newcastle through.
In the end, he moved to Stamford Bridge for a deal worth up to £60million.
RM: Bryan Mbeumo
Mbeumo had long been on the radar of Eddie Howe’s side, but their valuation of £50million fell well short of what he ultimately went for.
PSR meant Newcastle were hamstrung with how much they could offer the Frenchman in wages so when Manchester United came in, with their seemingly bottomless pit of money thanks to sacking the dinner ladies, Mbeumo was only ever going one way.
The attacker eventually moved to Old Trafford for a fee of £65million.
LM: Yoane Wissa (potentially)
The longer this saga goes on, the less likely it seems that Newcastle will get their man.
Their interest in Brentford’s Wissa has been going on all summer, but it’s August now and still he remains a Brentford player.
The player held ‘crunch talks’ with Brentford sporting director Phil Giles last month but his return to training this week suggests him staying at the club is not completely out of the question.
READ: 8 of the most shocking transfer windows ever by Premier League heavyweights
LW: Hugo Ekitike
Everything was going well in Newcastle’s pursuit of Ekitike until a certain club on Merseyside got involved.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool declared their interest for Alexander Isak and when Newcastle said no, what did they do? Go after Newcastle’s No.1 target.
With a textbook definition of a transfer gazumping, Liverpool agreed a fee for Ekitike and soon enough, he was pictured in a Liverpool shirt.
RW: Benjamin Sesko
In the worst advert ever for the Newcastle tourism board, their latest rejection has come from Sesko.
Despite the offer of Champions League football and a guaranteed starting spot, the Slovenian has still chosen to join Manchester United.
That’s right, a club out of the Champions League and one that finished 15th last year.
On Wednesday, David Ornstein reported there was a “growing feeling” that Sesko would choose Old Trafford, leaving Newcastle back at square one.
ST: Liam Delap
Liam Delap’s relegation release clause of £30million meant a host of clubs were lining up to knock on Ipswich’s door and one of the frontrunners was thought to be Newcastle.
Initially, in the window, it looked as if Delap would move to St James’ but after some of the ‘bigger’ clubs got involved, the son of long-throw specialist Rory looked elsewhere.
In the final stages, it was thought Delap was considering Chelsea or Manchester United, but when the latter lost the Europa League final – and subsequently missed out on Champions League football – the 22-year-old chose the London club.
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