Newcastle United miss out on yet another transfer target | OneFootball

Newcastle United could hardly be having a worse summer window as they continually miss out on transfer target after transfer transfer.

The 2024/25 campaign ended on such a high for the Magpies as they qualified for the UEFA Champions League, putting a bow on a season in which they won their first major trophy in 56 years.

But the glow of their success has lessened as the months have worn on. Eddie Howe wanted to get their business in the transfer market done early, to strengthen an already very good squad, but they have been blocked at almost every turn.

Joao Pedro was on their radar, but he left Brighton for Chelsea, who also beat them to Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap. Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo was seen as an alternative option to Pedro, but he joined Manchester United instead.

Newcastle finally landed an attacker who could play out wide when they signed Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for a transfer fee of £55 million in the second week of July. Huzzah!

Now it was time to make a statement signing. They had been working quietly in the background on a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike. However, details of the negotiations were leaked to the media, frustrating Howe.

What’s worse, Liverpool entered the race and ended up winning. The striker is now a Red after completing a £79m move to Anfield.

This came after Liverpool enquired about a potential £120m deal for Alexander Isak. No dice, said Newcastle. He’s not for sale. But now the Swede is unsettled and hasn’t travelled with the squad on their pre-season tour of Asia. Talks over a new contract have so far come to nothing.

Losing Isak would be a disaster, but it would be exacerbated immensely if they can’t manage to sign a new forward. A bid was submitted to Brentford for Yoane Wissa, but that too was rejected.

Newcastle United miss out on yet another transfer target

Meanwhile, the Tyneside outfit had been working on a deal for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. An offer of £27m was submitted and that appeared to be enough to land the 22-year-old.

However, it has now emerged that they have been gazumped by Manchester City. Fabrizio Romano claims that City will re-sign the England youth international two years after selling him to the Clarets.

Trafford has “agreed” to sign a five-year contract with the option of a further five months after City matched Newcastle’s offer, according to The Athletic. Stefan Ortega “could still leave” the club to make room in the squad for the youngster.

It’s just one more painful chapter in a disastrous summer transfer window for Newcastle.

Read – How Ekitike and Isak compare as Liverpool and Newcastle play transfer chess

See Also – Chelsea stance on Alexander Isak deal clarified

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