Newcastle actually almost made a big mistake on transfer deadline day which they got away with

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United endured a miserable transfer deadline day.

The Magpies ended the summer with no major signings, despite planning to complete two big deals before the transfer window slammed shut.

Eddie Howe wanted a right-sided centre-back and a right winger, but ended the summer with neither arriving.

At one point in time, it looked like at least one would move to St James’ Park. Newcastle desperately tried to sign Marc Guehi, only for that deal to collapse. Guehi was disappointed that his Newcastle transfer fell through, despite Paul Mitchell’s attempts to make him Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever.

Newcastle turned their attention to Anthony Elanga

Once the Guehi deal was off, Newcastle tried to salvage the situation.

To do that, Paul Mitchell made a move to sign Anthony Elanga worth around £35million. However, Nottingham Forest rejected Newcastle’s offer for Elanga.

There were even talks about Miguel Almiron moving to Forest as part of the Elanga deal, but the transfer window closed with the Swedish winger still at the City Ground.

Newcastle were told that signing Elanga on deadline day would be ‘impossible’, and that proved to be the case.

Newcastle’s improved offer for Anthony Elanga

However, Toon officials did try their best to bring the 22-year-old to St James’ Park, even after their £35million offer was rebuffed.

According to Sky Sports, Newcastle made an improved offer to sign Anthony Elanga on deadline day worth a potential £50million.

However, Sky Sports adds that the bid was turned down by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who did not want to lose such an important player without having time to source a suitable replacement.

Nottingham Forest saved Newcastle’s blushes

That is why Newcastle failed to bring Elanga to Tyneside, despite making a major offer. A fee of £50million would have made him Newcastle’s third most expensive signing ever, behind Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak.

While Elanga is talented, he does not compare to those two players.

Spending £50million on him would have reeked of desperation, as the Newcastle hierarchy desperately tried to salvage something from what had been a miserable transfer window.

And the fact they offered so much for a player like Elanga shows how much they were panicking, as they scrambled to improve Eddie Howe’s squad.

While there was a willingness to back him, that would have been a ridiculous price to pay. Fortunately for Newcastle, Forest spared their blushes by being adamant that Elanga was not leaving.

That means it will be difficult for Newcastle during the next few months, as they could really benefit from having another winger in their squad. However, it at least means that there is money there to spend in January if the right deal comes about.

Newcastle got away with one on deadline day when it comes to Elanga. It is massively disappointing that we did not sign anyone, but that is better than spending £50million on someone who would not have been a massive upgrade on Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron.