‘Special’ player plays zero minutes after snubbing Newcastle and £29m Eddie Howe target is also ignored

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Newcastle United desperately need to sign a centre-back and a winger before the transfer window closes on August 30th.

The Magpies are working towards the former, with Marc Guehi still the top target despite four bids being rejected.

There is still a feeling that Newcastle can sign Guehi, and that deal will then have an impact on whether or not a winger can arrive. Newcastle United are restricted by PSR, with Toon officials possibly needing to sell before they buy.

Newcastle’s target before Marc Guehi starts the season on the bench

When it comes to Guehi, he has not been the top target for Newcastle United all summer. In fact, the club had hoped to wrap up their centre-back recruitment right at the start of the summer.

Lloyd Kelly arrived on a free transfer from Bournemouth, while Newcastle had hoped to complete a similar deal for Tosin Adarabioyo.

At one point, it looked like the transfer was on. Newcastle were confident about signing Tosin, as they prepared to land two Premier League quality centre-backs without spending a single penny in terms of transfer fees.

However, the Tosin deal collapsed. Chelsea swooped in, and he snubbed Newcastle’s offer to join the Blues.

It was a blow for Newcastle, and one that could end up costing them more than £60million. That is what it will cost to sign Guehi, who would not have been targeted had Tosin arrived at St James’ Park.

In the meantime, Tosin awaits his Chelsea debut. He was an unused substitute on Sunday, watching on as Enzo Maresca’s side lost 2-0 to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

It was an early indication that Tosin, who has been described as ‘special‘, will not be a regular starter for Chelsea, with Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana playing ahead of him.

Noni Madueke also an unused substitute for Chelsea

Elsewhere, a player who Newcastle United are still trying to sign was also an unused substitute for Chelsea.

As the Blues tried to get back into the game, Noni Madueke was not utilised. He sat on the bench as Maresca made attacking changes, with Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall introduced in the second half.

Madueke did not get the chance to play, amid uncertainty over the £29million attacker’s future.

Newcastle United are interested in Madueke, who could end up being the winger that moves to Tyneside.

Eddie Howe is a fan of Madueke, and it remains to be seen how the 22-year-old feels about a move away from Stamford Bridge after not featuring in Chelsea’s opening game of the season.

He is certainly one to watch, although his asking price will need to come down for Newcastle to do a deal. It has been reported that Chelsea value Madueke at £60million, which is a staggering amount of money.

If he is worth that much, he should be playing, not warming the bench for 90 minutes…