In every transfer window, teams identify which positions need strengthning. Once they do that, they then identify the player/s that they believe will best suit them. Under normal circumstances, clubs can sign the players unopposed. However, Newcastle have failed to land multiple targets in the current transfer window.
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 11 July, 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 aren't even in the Champions League. Here’s a list of the players who have said no to Newcastle so far this summer:
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's home ground).
Newcastle agreed a fee of £31 million 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.
Marc Guehi
Newcastle United’s interest in Guehi goes back to last summer when Crystal Palace rejected a £70 million 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.
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 £50 million, triggering his release clause and it was an easy choice for the defender.
Mohammed Kudus
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 Tottenham. Thomas Frank’s side stumped up £55 million for the 24-year-old with West Ham accepting a bid that was £30 million less than his release clause.
At that price, Newcastle opted to look elsewhere.
Joao Pedro
Another attack-minded player that slipped through the Newcastle net was Brighton’s Pedro. Newcastle submitted a bid of £50 million 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 £60 million.
Bryan Mbeumo
Mbeumo had long been on the radar of Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe’s side but their valuation of £50 million 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.
PSR, in the context of football, refers to Profit and Sustainability Rules. These are financial regulations implemented by the Premier League to limit the losses that clubs can incur over a rolling three-year period. The primary goal is to ensure the financial health and stability of football clubs and the league itself.
The attacker eventually moved to Old Trafford for a fee of £65 million.
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.
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.
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.
Liam Delap
Liam Delap’s relegation release clause of £30 million 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.
In further bad news, there's a growing rift between them and star striker, Alexander Isak. Alexander Isak has been told by the Newcastle United board he is not for sale this summer and won't be allowed to join Liverpool in a show of defiance from the club’s Saudi owners.
Newcastle’s steadfast position on the matter has caused acrimony and tension, with Isak refusing to accept the decision with good grace. He has subsequently been ordered by Eddie Howe to train away from the group.
Until Isak is willing to get his head around the fact that he will be denied a move in this transfer window, he will not play for the club. It is a high-risk approach from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which owns Newcastle but its position, as revealed by Telegraph Sport last month, has always been the same.
Liverpool were made aware of Newcastle’s refusal to consider a sale when they had a bid worth around £110 million rejected last week; hence their decision to back away from the transfer. Liverpool have indicated they won't bid again unless Newcastle change their position; which sources have reaffirmed to Telegraph Sport is extremely unlikely, even if they sign another striker.
Howe has been aware of the club’s stance for some time and has been left to try to smooth things over with the Sweden international, which is proving difficult and is severely testing his patience. Speaking after his side’s 2-2 friendly draw with Espanyol at St James’ Park on Friday night, Howe said it was "clear" that he "can’t involve" Isak as things stand. "It’s clear we can’t involve him with the group."
The striker informed the club while they were on the way out to Singapore for a pre-season tour that he wanted to explore his options for a move. Isak missed the tour of Asia with a, "minor thigh injury" but went on to train alone at former club, Real Sociedad, without Newcastle’s permission.
Howe had previously warned no player could expect to act, "poorly and train with the group as normal." He has not closed the door on Isak – who is training alone after the rest of the squad have left the building – playing for Newcastle again; but stressed that the situation, "has to be right for that to happen."
Speaking after Newcastle’s 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid on Saturday night – which meant a return of two draws and four losses from their pre-season fixtures – Howe said: "It is a decision that I won’t make, that will be for other people to make. For me I am just trying to manage the situation."
"And manage the team most importantly, manage the group of players I am working with day to day. I love coaching and helping, we are focused on Aston Villa. Everything else, from my perspective, is not in my control, so it is not my focus."
Pushed on whether Isak will play for the club again, Howe added: "I think everything is still in play, he is contracted to us, he is our player. The club basically make the decision on his future."
“I don’t know what that will be. Of course, I have a preferred outcome, I want the best and strongest squad possible. I want the players that really want to play for this football club."
Newcastle, though, have resisted the temptation to discipline the player, which is a key move as they intend to reintegrate the 25-year-old gradually when he realises he cannot force his way out of the club.
Isak has three years left on his current contract and has been told a new deal will be negotiated – almost certainly with a release clause – when the transfer window shuts in September. They know there is no point in trying to agree to a wage increase at the moment when emotions are running high.
Isak’s representatives have infuriated the Newcastle hierarchy, who believe the player has been badly advised. Multiple sources have strenuously denied there was a gentleman’s agreement in place for Isak to leave this summer and at no stage where they informed last season that the player intended it to be his last on Tyneside.
There is also anger at the way Liverpool have behaved and there was bafflement when their bid last week was made given it was nowhere near Newcastle’s valuation of £150 million.
Despite trying to sign several forward players this summer, none of them have been seen as a direct replacement for Isak.
Newcastle’s refusal to sell has universal backing at boardroom level with co-owner, Jamie Reuben, also belligerent in the face of a naked attempt by a player to force his way out of the club and the apparent attempts to unsettle him.
Whether Liverpool are willing to accept defeat remains to be seen. Given Isak’s state of mind, they may still feel the door is ajar for a British record bid to test the club’s resolve. The transfer window doesn't shut until 1 September, which is a potentially excruciatingly long time for this stand-off to continue.
Howe chose his words carefully when speaking to the media on Friday night and will give Isak the time and space he needs to accept the club’s decision. Newcastle clearly have an unhappy player on their hands and will be without their leading goalscorer for the start of the Premier League campaign.
Newcastle supporters, who once idolised Isak, are understandably furious with the player and are dismayed by his conduct. Nevertheless, Newcastle’s board believe the player can be reintegrated and will go on to have a successful season at the club.
There is good news. AC Milan and Newcastle have reached an agreement for the transfer of defender, Malick Thiaw, who will join the English side in a deal worth €40m; including bonuses.
In total, the deal is worth €40m and there have been some conflicting reports regarding the bonuses. SportItalia said €35m as the fixed base and €5m in bonuses, while Daniele Longo said €36m plus €4m in bonuses.
10% of the the transfer fee will go to German side, Schalke 04, as Milan agreed to include a future re-sale clause when they signed Thiaw in 2022. It should be around €3m in the end but even so the Rossoneri will collect a lot of money.
Newcastle have definitely had bad luck. There's no telling just how well they will do in the transfer market. Regardless, I'm sure Newcastle will be just fine. They're a good side and will find a way to perform well and finish on a high in terms of the Premier League table.