Newcastle United were never confident of signing Darwin Nunez before Premier League rivals Liverpool snapped up an £85 million deal for the Benfica striker, as reported by The Athletic.
Nouveau-riche Newcastle may possess a pockets deeper than the Marianas Trench these days but there remains an acceptance of where they are, and where they need to get to.
Their approach to the transfer market has been far from faultless – the long-running and long-doomed pursuit of Hugo Ekitike is an example that must be learned from – but the club’s recruitment policy feels like a sensible blend of ambition and realism.
And once Liverpool emerged as the frontrunners for Nunez – once his price-tag soared to £80 million and above – Newcastle were in no mood to flog the proverbial dead horse. According to The Athletic, the Saudi-backed Tynesiders ‘never realistically expected’ to sign a centre-forward Liverpool have paid £64 million up front for.
That is despite claims that they initially tested the water with a £50 million offer of their own (FootMercato). Better move on to alternative targets rather than waste your time barking up the wrong tree.
Liverpool beat Newcastle United to Darwin Nunez
“I love how much focus and humility he has,” Jurgen Klopp says.
The Uruguay international who scored two of his 34 goals last season against Liverpool in the Champions League quarter-finals.
“Darwin is a wonderful player,” Klopp adds. “Already really good but so much potential to get even better. That’s why (the signing is) so exciting, to be honest. His age, his desire, his hunger to be even better than he currently is. His belief in our project and what we are looking to do as a club.
“He is as excited by us as we are by him. (This) makes for a great relationship, when you appreciate each other’s strengths. That is certainly the case here. He thinks we suit him and we believe he is the right fit for us – so let’s do it.”
After being put off by the staggering sums demanded by Everton and Brentford for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ivan Toney – and after finally accepting defeat regarding Hugo Ekitike – Newcastle’s striker search has reportedly led them to Armando Broja.
The Northern Echo say that Newcastle are ‘confident’ of landing the Chelsea youngster.
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