£26m player who bullied Joelinton was actually keen on signing for Newcastle this summer

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As Halloween looms, Newcastle United were haunted by a former transfer target in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Eddie Howe’s side were beaten 1-0 by Borussia Dortmund, dropping to third in Champions League Group F.

After the highs of the Paris Saint-Germain game that saw St James’ Park at its absolute best, Tyneside was a little bit more subdued on this occasion.

The atmosphere was notably flatter, while Newcastle took a major hit on the stroke of half time.

Anthony Gordon looked to create a chance at one end, but was cleverly dispossessed by Nico Schlotterbeck. Moments later, the ball was in the net and Dortmund were in front.

Felix Nmecha got the goal, producing a smart first-time finish to get his first goal for the German club after joining for £26million in the summer. But that could have been Newcastle…

Newcastle were interested in Felix Nmecha this summer

During the summer transfer window, Newcastle were in the market for a centre-midfielder. They eventually brought in Sandro Tonali, but before him there was interest in Nmecha.

He was playing for Wolfsburg at the time, and was identified as a potential signing and a player who Eddie Howe really liked.

Champions League star was open to Newcastle transfer

And following his goal at St James’ Park on Wednesday night, the Telegraph have reported that Nmecha was actually open to joining Newcastle United.

Instead, the Magpies looked elsewhere and splashed out on Tonali. That decision is not paying off in the short-term, with the 23-year-old due to receive a 10-month ban for betting.

As for Nmecha, he was outstanding in the Champions League clash on Wednesday night. He took his goal brilliantly, whilst producing a combative display in the middle of the park.

it is not often that Joelinton gets outmuscled, but the Brazilian could not handle Nmecha’s physicality. He bullied Joelinton, showcasing the power that made him such an appealing option for Newcastle earlier this year.

But he is now a Borussia Dortmund player, and his goal is the reason Newcastle are now third in their Champions League group.