According to The Chronicle, Newcastle United were in the market for some big-money signings had their takeover gone through.
Fans had hopes that Newcastle would be big spenders in this summer’s transfer market, but the Saudi-led takeover was scrapped in July.
In the end, Steve Bruce had to cut his cloth accordingly by signing Mark Gillespie, Ryan Fraser and Jeff Hendrick, with Jamal Lewis and Callum Wilson the only cash signings.
It could have been so, so different, and this report now states that the proposed owners had plans to bring some big name players to St James’ Park.
Ferran Torres was wanted at Newcastle before a £32million move to Manchester City, whilst Nathan Ake was another target – but he also joined City for £41million.
Striker Victor Osimhen was another player Newcastle wanted to sign in the event of a takeover, but he signed for Napoli in a huge €60million (£55million) deal.
That means that Newcastle missed out on a staggering £128million worth of players, with Gareth Bale and Ciro Immobile also eyed.
Newcastle fans will be thinking about what could have been, as Torres, Ake and Osimhen look to be huge talents both for now and the future – but without that funding, Newcastle couldn’t get close to landing even one of them, never mind all three.
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