Benjamin Sesko’s decision to join Manchester United this summer is just the latest example in what is developing into a worrying trend for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.
The Magpies secured a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League last season and secured Champions League football in the process.
With a European campaign to help attract prospective talent and some of the richest owners in world football, Newcastle were expected to continuing strengthening their options in the transfer market this summer.
And while the club have completed some good business, including the signing of Anthony Elanga following an impressive season with Nottingham Forest, many more targets have passed them by.
Liam Delap was one of the first names to have been linked with the North East club this summer.
The 22-year-old was one of the few shining lights in a struggling Ipswich side last season, as the club were unable to maintain their Premier League status in the first season back in the top flight.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has endured a difficult summer in the transfer window thus far
The club’s pursuit of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko looks set to end in failure, with Manchester United now leading the race for his signature
Meanwhile the future of star man Alexander Isak remains up in the air amid interest from Liverpool
Newcastle were said to have held talks with the Manchester City academy graduate before he ultimately opted to join Chelsea in a deal worth £30m.
Despite missing out on Delap, the club explored alternative options and were reported to be also targeting both Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Wolves striker Matheus Cunha.
The pair had netted double figures in the league last season and would have provided Eddie Howe with depth in his attacking options.
Ultimately though, despite being able to offer the them European football next season, both ultimately opted to instead join Manchester United.
Joao Pedro also opted not to join Newcastle despite a seemingly clearer route to a starting place than what he will face after arriving at Chelsea.
England goalkeeper James Trafford was another to turn his back on an approach from the club, with the 22-year-old opting to rejoin his former side Manchester City from Burnley.
Newcastle’s pursuit of in-demand striker Hugo Ekitike this summer served as a indicator of the club’s ambition to push on and compete with the Premier League’s best.
The Frenchman had enjoyed a prolific campaign in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt and Newcastle seemingly had the financial muscle to make a real statement of intent in the transfer market.
Liam Delap was also said to be on the club’s radar before he completed a £30m move to Chelsea
Eddie Howe had reportedly envisioned Ekitike as the perfect strike partner for Alexander Isak and made a club-record £70million approach in an attempt to bring him to the North East.
Frankfurt were determined to hold out for a larger fee for their prize asset however, and Liverpool were quick to step into the void, signing he 23-year-old for £79million last month.
To make matters worse, Newcastle star man Isak’s future remains up in the air with the return of the Premier League approaching imminently.
The Swedish striker remains a target for Arne Slot’s Premier League champions and the club are preparing another approach after their first official bid was rejected.
Isak has played no part in the Magpies’ pre-season preparations after ruling himself out with a thigh injury and spent last week training alone at his former club Real Sociedad.
On Monday Isak returned to Newcastle’s training ground with reports suggesting he will meet with Eddie Howe to discuss his future.
Speaking on Newcastle’s summer Alan Shearer lamented his former team’s activity in the transfer market.
James Trafford re-joined Manchester City despite Newcastle’s interest in the goalkeeper
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Why Benjamin Sesko is Man United and Newcastle’s most wanted
‘Why can’t Newcastle get business done? I don’t know whether it’s to do with the fact they don’t have a Chief Executive or Sporting Director.’ The Premier League record goalscorer told Betfair.
‘They’ve known for months now that the Chief Executive was leaving so I’m pretty surprised that one hasn’t been announced as yet.
‘The Sporting Director left a couple of months ago now and they’ve known that, so that’s a big surprise that those spaces haven’t been filled.
‘Whether that has anything to do with Newcastle’s lack of business and the number of players that have said no to them, I don’t know. It’s not a good look.’
