Newcastle United have been linked with many players in the January transfer window.
Paul Mitchell undoubtedly has his work cut out for him in the transfer market. Eddie Howe wants to bolster his attacking options and ensure he has a long-term goalkeeper with Martin Dubravka’s future still unknown.
Newcastle have already missed out on many players to other Premier League sides. Newcastle wanted Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund, but the forward has since signed for Aston Villa.
Elsewhere, Mitchell sent scouts to watch Millwall winger Romain Esse. He now looks set to join Crystal Palace.
The feeling around Tyneside is that Newcastle won’t buy anyone in January, and that stance hasn’t changed after Mitchell greenlighted Miguel Almiron’s sale to Atlanta United.
Newcastle’s stance means they could lose out on even more targets in January. A failure to invest means there’s a bigger chance Newcastle could fail to qualify for European football, it would have huge repercussions on retaining stars like Alexander Isak.
While there’s gloom over recent missed targets, a former footballer has opened up about a failed move to Tyneside back in 2018.
Nicolai Jørgensen nearly joined Newcastle in 2018
Nicolai Jørgensen had a successful career in Europe. He won nine trophies during spells in Denmark and Holland.
Jørgensen also spent time at Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen between 2010 and 2012 but failed to make an impact. He joined Copenhagen in 2012 where he spent four seasons, winning the Danish SuperLiga and Danish Cup twice.
A move to Feyenoord followed where he would score 43 goals in 99 league appearances. However, in 2018 he was offered the chance to move to Newcastle; who were owned by Mike Ashley at the time, but failed to make the move.
Recently, Jørgensen spoke to Tipsbladet where he opened up about the failed move.
“I had the opportunity to make a big change several times,” he said.
“And it would have been great to try. Newcastle made some bids which were far higher than what I expected to be sold for.
“But then it wasn’t closed, I don’t think there were any who came closer than them. Feyenoord couldn’t find a replacement, and that’s how it ended a couple of times.”
Jørgensen isn’t the only player Newcastle failed to sign during that period. Ruben Semedo admitted he snubbed Newcastle back in 2017 because of English weather.
Jørgensen went on to sign for Turkish side Kasimpasa before returning to Copenhagen to play his last season ahead of retirement.
Newcastle must avoid repeating transfer failings
If Newcastle qualify for European football next season, there needs to be a significant chunk of money spent in the summer transfer window to ensure they can be competitive.
In the 2023/24 campaign, a lack of squad depth cost them when the injuries began to pile up. At times, Howe was forced to use players from Newcastle’s academy in the first-team.
Mitchell must use his experience in either January or the summer to give Howe what he needs. In the summer, Newcastle missed out on several targets because they failed to qualify for Europe. Tosin Adarabioyo snubbed the Magpies for Chelsea who are currently playing in the Europa Conference League.
When it comes to negotiations, Mitchell must also avoid a repeat of their efforts to sign Marc Guehi in the summer.
Club staff were left with egg on their face after Crystal Palace rejected multiple approaches for their captain.
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