Reported Newcastle United target Steve Cook has joined Championship side Nottingham Forest.
The defender was strangely linked with the Magpies last month, with talk of a reunion between Eddie Howe and the then Cherries defender.
The Sun claimed that Newcastle could move for Cook if they were unable to sign either James Tarkowski or Ben Mee. They reported that Howe wants Premier League experience, which is why the club were considering the 30-year-old.
It was a rumour that didn’t excite some fans. But luckily for those supporters, Cook won’t be coming to St James’ Park. Instead, he’s signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Forest.
Newcastle miss out on Steve Cook, but they haven’t really ‘missed out’
While there has seemingly been no movement on bids for Tarkowski or Mee, Howe won’t be able to turn to Cook.
He’s a player Howe knows well from their time at Bournemouth, and would have been reunited with Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Matt Ritchie.
But this is a transfer that Newcastle certainly haven’t missed out on. The reported interest in Cook seemed incredibly strange.
Despite his history with Howe, he wouldn’t have been able to improve our defensive woes. And the fact he has been snapped up by a second division side proves he’s not the kind of player we need.
The Magpies need experienced centre-backs who can turn the defensive tide, or we need young players who can help create the spine of the new Newcastle United.
Cook didn’t fit either category, which is why it’s good news to see him secure a move elsewhere.
Newcastle may have ‘missed out’ on a January target, but the truth is that they haven’t missed a thing.
As evidenced by the impending Kieran Trippier arrival, we are setting our sights much higher.
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