Newcastle United insiders left disappointed as two top transfer targets join Man City instead

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Newcastle United may end the January transfer window emptyhanded but it is not for a lack of trying.

The Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules put Newcastle United on the backfoot heading into January with the club wary of breaching the rules.

Newcastle want to sign a right winger and that has been the case even before Miguel Almiron’s move to MLS was confirmed.

However, another area Newcastle want to improve is at centre-back after missing out on Marc Guehi in the summer.

Newcastle are now open to selling Lloyd Kelly after rejecting Fenerbahce’s bid earlier this month, but the club’s top two centre-back targets have already been snapped up by Manchester City.

Newcastle insiders upset at Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis deals

Newcastle held talks with Abdukodir Khusanov this month after monitoring him from the summer. The 20-year-old impressed at Lens and the Magpies were leading the race to sign him.

Khusanov has now joined Manchester City but his agent confirmed that Newcastle were “very close” to getting a deal over the line.

City also beat Newcastle to the signing of Vitor Reis – another young centre-back on Paul Mitchell’s radar.

According to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, there are club insiders who “lamented” the duo joining City.

“Interestingly, there are some inside the club who have lamented Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis moving to Manchester City this month, because the belief was that Newcastle had put in the ground work on both and, especially with the former, in pole position to sign them,” Waugh wrote.

“PSR constraints prevented definitive moves this month, certainly at the prices Manchester City paid, but Khusanov’s agent publicly confirmed that Newcastle were leading the race and that St James’ Park was the strongest potential destination before the Etihad.”

Newcastle ready to wait for summer transfer window

It has been a very quiet January for Newcastle so far despite the effort to land Khusanov and Reis.

Much of the club’s focus has been on selling fringe players and raising funds – that does open up space for incomings, but it seems more likely that Newcastle will wait until the summer.

READ MORE: Newcastle United January transfer window done deals: Confirmed signings, exits and loan departures for Eddie Howe’s side

Newcastle earned £11m from Almiron’s sale, but PIF plan to save the Almiron cash until the summer.

There are still other centre-back targets on Newcastle’s radar including a potential return for Guehi.