There’s more good news for Newcastle United fans after Hugo Ekitike decision, it’s not Alexander Isak

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Newcastle United wasted the 2024 summer transfer window, spending week after week chasing a Marc Guehi deal that was never completed.

It was an embarrassing transfer window for Newcastle United, who had overseen huge changes behind the scenes with Paul Mitchell arriving as sporting director. Mitchell failed to sign Guehi, angering Crystal Palace with his approach.

The Eagles continuously moved the goalposts, with Newcastle unable to reach an agreement for the England international.

Fast forward 12 months and the Magpies have learned from their mistakes.

Newcastle United were fast to walk away from Hugo Ekitike

Newcastle have been trying to sign Hugo Ekitike, but he is on course to join Liverpool instead.

The Magpies tried to get a deal done quickly, with talks taking place over the weekend. There was even a bid submitted, with Newcastle offering £70million for Ekitike.

However, Liverpool have barged their way to the front of the queue.

That is no problem for Newcastle, who are already moving on to their list of alternatives. Benjamin Sesko is an option for Newcastle, while Yoane Wissa is also a target.

Newcastle are not wasting time. Sure, their Ekitike pursuit did not have a happy ending. But at least it was not a drawn out saga. Newcastle saw that the writing was on the wall and backed away.

Bryan Mbeumo saga is rumbling on after early Newcastle United decision

They did the same with Bryan Mbeumo, who was one of Howe’s top targets at the start of the summer.

However, Newcastle decided Mbeumo was too expensive. Brentford’s asking price of more than £60million was beyond what they wanted to pay, while Mbeumo’s wage demands stunned Newcastle too.

Mbeumo’s preference was to join Manchester United, but Newcastle could have stayed at the table and chipped away at a deal. However, they made the right call and moved on. Anthony Elanga joined Newcastle instead, and there is real excitement about his arrival at St James’ Park.

All the while, Man United are reluctantly spending the kind of money that Newcastle knew made Mbeumo way too expensive.

It has been reported by the Athletic that Man United have offered £70million for Mbeumo, including £5million worth of add-ons. That is an extortionate fee, while the Red Devils have dedicated far too much time to these negotiations. You could not really say the time was worth it either, as they are merely bowing down to Brentford’s demands after seeing multiple offers get knocked back.

While Mbeumo might be excellent for Ruben Amorim’s side and Ekitike could thrive at Liverpool, Newcastle will not mind. They have been ensuring that time is on their side, refusing to get embroiled in sagas like the Guehi one last year.