Newcastle United were extremely keen to sign a winger during the summer transfer window.
At the start of the summer, it was expected that most of Newcastle United‘s transfer budget would go towards bringing in an attacker. And that argument was almost strengthened when the Magpies tried to end their centre-back search by signing Tosin Adarabioyo on a free.
But that deal collapsed, which forced Newcastle to change the way they planned to utilise their budget. Marc Guehi became the top target, while a move for a winger was put on the backburner.
That represented a change in approach, as the top target at the beginning of the summer was Michael Olise.
Newcastle United wanted to sign Michael Olise
Newcastle wanted a right winger, and Michael Olise was the player that Eddie Howe wanted to sign.
The 22-year-old looked set to leave Crystal Palace, with clubs queuing up to sign him.
The Magpies were one of those clubs, with Newcastle approaching Crystal Palace about signing Olise.
However, they were not the only club that made a move, and it was ultimately Bayern Munich who won the race to sign him. He cost the Bundesliga giants £50million, with Bayern giving Olise the chance to play in the Champions League and challenge for major honours.
It was a blow for Newcastle to miss out, but the lack of Champions League football was always going to make it difficult for the Toon recruitment team.
Olise shines on Champions League debut for Bayern Munich
And Olise’s Champions League debut on Tuesday night proved that Newcastle United never really had a chance of signing him.
The Frenchman started on the right of attack, as Bayern Munich kicked off their Champions League campaign with an emphatic 9-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb.
It was an absolute rout, with Olise scoring twice. While Dinamo Zagreb were no match for Bayern, Olise very much proved he belongs in Europe’s elite competition. He certainly did not look out of place alongside the likes of Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala.
It has been a bright start to Olise’s Bayern Munich career, with the former Premier League star boasting four goal contributions from five appearances in all competitions.
Newcastle were dreaming when they thought they could tempt Olise to Tyneside, but that just highlights the level of ambition at St James’ Park.
They want players of Olise’s calibre, but they are very difficult to get without the lure of Champions League football and the restrictions of PSR.
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