According to The Sunday Mirror (02/08, p66), Newcastle United’s possible owners had a host of possible signing in mind going back to last summer.
It’s claimed that Amanda Staveley and her team of investors had been planning their Newcastle move for two-and-a-half years, and they had wanted Mauro Icardi had the deal gone through last summer.
The Argentinian striker was a goal machine at Inter Milan, but was loaned out to Paris Saint-Germain last summer. His move has now been made permanent for £45million, meaning Newcastle missed the boat.
The report names the other players on Newcastle’s wish list had the takeover gone through, starting with a triple raid on relegated Bournemouth.
Defender Nathan Ake, playmaker David Brooks and striker Callum Wilson were all wanted at Newcastle, though Ake is now heading to Manchester City for a staggering £41million.
Newcastle may still hope to go for Wilson or Brooks, but the lack of a takeover means they may struggle to get them in.
The Magpies would have also wanted to sign two Leicester City players in midfielder Hamza Choudhury and winger Demarai Gray, giving the fringe Foxes first-team football that they currently aren’t receiving.
Newcastle also had plans to move for Adam Lallana following his Liverpool exit, but he has gone to Brighton. With confusion over the takeover for months, Newcastle never made their move and missed out.
Icardi would have been some start, and even the other six players have been Premier League regulars in recent times.
Newcastle may no longer be able to sign any of the players listed, but they will be names to keep an eye on if Staveley and co ever resurrect their bid for the Magpies.
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