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Newcastle United have constantly struck gold in the transfer market in the PIF era.

The stellar work the recruitment department have done has played a huge part in taking Newcastle into the Champions League just one full season into PIF’s ownership.

One of the biggest bargains has to be Sven Botman.

The Dutchman reportedly set the club back £32m last year and has since starred under Eddie Howe on Tyneside.

Indeed, the 23-year-old has formed an excellent partnership with Fabian Schar at the heart of the defence, proving worth the attempts to sign him both last summer and in the January window before that.

Now, it seems they’re so impressed that they have now changed their mind on another target.

Newcastle go cold on interest in Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio

According to Portuguese outlet Radio Renascenca, decision-makers at St James’ Park have cooled their interest in Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio.

The 22-year-old was reportedly the subject of a £25m bid from Newcastle last year.

Still, this fresh report claims the club have not been impressed by the centre-back’s form since, believing he has stagnated and no longer looks suited to be Botman’s back-up.

Trust in the recruitment staff

If that’s the conclusion the club have come to, they must be trusted.

To expect a perfect record in the transfer market might be somewhat optimistic but there is little reason to doubt those in charge of recruitment at the moment.

In an ideal world, Newcastle would strengthen their options at centre-back. Schar cannot go on forever, after all.

However, in the interim, Jamaal Lascelles has done well in the absence of Botman, while Paul Dummett played his part in keeping a clean sheet against an admittedly rotated Manchester City side.

If Inacio is not improving, signing him doesn’t seem wise.