One of Eddie Howe’s long-term transfer targets is finally available, but it is the wrong time for Newcastle United.
Since the takeover, Newcastle United have shown a willingness to revisit former targets if they believe they are the right player.
The Magpies wanted Sven Botman in January 2022, but did not complete a deal until that summer. It was a similar scenario with Anthony Gordon, who was a summer 2022 target, but did not arrive until January 2023.
There has been a pool of players that Newcastle keep revisiting, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin one of those players that keeps cropping up as a Toon target. Newcastle tried to sign Calvert-Lewin earlier this summer, but that deal collapsed due to money. It was a similar story two years ago when the Magpies tried to get him in 2022.
Long-term Newcastle United target made available by Manchester United
Another player who falls into that category is Scott McTominay, and he is suddenly available for a move.
Manchester United are trying to sign Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain, and that could result in one of the Red Devils’ current midfielders leaving the club.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who has taken to X to provide an update on Man United’s interest in Ugarte and McTominay’s future.
He wrote: “Man United, working on outgoings with Casemiro or Scott McTominay to make room for new midfielder. Ugarte, keen on the move. Up to the clubs.”
Newcastle have been consistently linked with Scott McTominay, until now
With Manchester United possibly looking to sell McTominay to make room for Ugarte, Newcastle have the chance to bring in a player who they have been chasing for years.
Newcastle first asked Man United about signing McTominay in the summer of 2022, but were told no.
They would not be deterred, and considered going back in for him the following January. It was reported at the start of 2023 that McTominay was interested in signing for Newcastle, but the Red Devils were not willing to do a deal.
The Magpies’ interest then continued into the summer of 2023, with Newcastle expected to bid for McTominay.
But the transfer window ended with McTominay still at Old Trafford, while Toon officials had broke the bank to buy Sandro Tonali from AC Milan.
Now it is the summer of 2024, and McTominay is very much available. However, an approach from Newcastle United would come as a major surprise.
It was recently reported that Newcastle are looking at midfielders they could possibly sign, but a major recruit like McTominay would be a shock.
Newcastle have a £100million transfer budget, most of which will go towards a winger. After that, they are aiming to sign a centre-back and a striker. The budget is unlikely to stretch far enough to buy a player like McTominay, which will likely mean that Eddie Howe once again misses out on the chance to bring in a midfielder who he rates so highly.
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