Newcastle United’s summer transfer window has hit a significant snag after three transfer bids, amounting to a combined £120 million ($165m), were rejected. The Magpies, eager to bolster their squad ahead of a return to the Champions League, had targeted Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro, and Burnley’s James Trafford. However, none of their initial offers have succeeded.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Newcastle busy in summer windowHowe wants overhaul at St James' ParkBids rejected for Elanga, Pedro and TraffordFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to the Tyneside club submitted a £25m ($34.36m) offer for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford over the weekend, but the Clarets were unmoved. Burnley are said to value the 22-year-old at over £30m ($41m) and are holding out for a figure closer to their valuation before considering letting him go. Trafford, who managed an impressive 29 clean sheets in the Championship last season, has long been on Newcastle’s radar and nearly joined the club last summer, only for the deal to collapse due to the Magpies' troubles adhering to Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Newcastle’s pursuit of attacking reinforcements also suffered a blow as Brighton rejected a £50m ($69m) bid for Brazilian forward Pedro earlier this week. The club previously attempted to sign him from Watford three years ago but eventually opted for Alexander Isak instead. With Champions League football on the horizon, Eddie Howe is eager to add attacking options capable of competing on multiple fronts, and Pedro fits that profile perfectly.
TELL ME MORE
The third and final piece of the failed transfer puzzle involves Nottingham Forest’s Sweden international Elanga. Newcastle tabled a £45m ($62m) proposal for the winger, but Forest quickly turned it down. Whether the Magpies return with an improved bid for Elanga remains to be seen, but it is clear that the player is high on their wish-list.
DID YOU KNOW?
Newcastle’s inability to close big-name signings across the last three transfer windows stems largely from concerns around breaching PSR guidelines. In a bid to stay compliant, the club had to sanction the sales of Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton last June, which brought in a combined £70m ($96m) and helped avert a possible ten-point deduction.