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Isak could also leave
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Rewind to mid March, and Newcastle fans were in delirium. After going over 50 years without any silverware, the Magpies finally won a major trophy again, beating Premier League champions Liverpool 2-1 in the EFL Cup final. Eddie Howe's team also secured Champions League football, and with the richest owners in the division, and a bit more wiggle room when it comes to the financial fair play regulations, excitement was really brewing around St James' Park this summer. However, as we enter August, it's been nothing short of a disastrous transfer window to date for Newcastle. London has always been viewed as a more glamorous destination than the north-east, particularly to foreign players, and that is perhaps one of the stumbling blocks that the club is facing this summer.
The north-east club have missed out on a huge number of their top targets, with their only signings to date Anthony Elanga for €61.4 million from Nottingham Forest, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on a loan deal, and youngster Antoñito Cordero on a free transfer. Add to that, the fact that star striker Alexander Isak has made it clear he wants to go to Anfield to join Liverpool, and it's been a really difficult summer at St James' Park. RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko looks as though he may be the latest to snub the Magpies, and the list of players who have rejected a move to Newcastle and moved elsewhere this summer, or stayed put at their current clubs, is genuinely quite flabbergasting.
Newcastle's rejection list
Nine notable players have reportedly turned down moves to Newcastle this summer, but let's start with the most valuable. French striker Hugo Ekitiké has a market value of €75m, and had been a target for the Magpies this summer. However, Liverpool swooped in and convinced the player to go to Anfield instead in a €95m deal. To add insult to injury the Reds are now trying to sign the man many feel Ekitiké was being brought in to replace in Isak. Amid their striker turbulence, Newcastle tried to persuade RB Leipzig's Sesko (MV: €70m) to go to St James' Park, but the latest reports suggest the Slovenian has also rejected Newcastle, in favour of Man United. Earlier on this summer, they tried to bring in Bournemouth centre-half Dean Huijsen (MV: €55m), but the Spaniard favoured a move to Real Madrid.
Winger Bryan Mbeumo (MV: €55m) had also been a top target earlier in the window, but only wanted to go to Old Trafford. Newcastle even reportedly targeted Brighton attacker João Pedro (MV: €50m), only for the Brazilian to instead move to Chelsea. There had been serious interest in West Ham's Mohammed Kudus (MV: €45m), but the Ghanian chose Tottenham. Amid a serious shortage at centre-half Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi (MV: €45m) has been a long-term target for Newcastle, but little progress has been made on that deal, and Liverpool are the current favourites for his signature.
Ipswich's Liam Delap (MV: €40m) had been chased but is now at Stamford Bridge, whilst much of the summer was spent hunting down goalkeeper James Trafford (MV: €22m), only for him to return to Manchester City. Between those nine aforementioned players, they boast a combined market value of €457m. Newcastle have missed out on a lot of talent, and have really struggled to convince big names to come to the club. Off the field, the club have been a mess. Boardroom power struggles have led to many influential figures leaving. Howe himself was trying to run the recruitment process at the start of the summer. It's not a good look for potential incomings, and what should be a very exciting time around the club, is turning slightly sour.
