Man Utd picked by Newcastle’s ‘top target’ even after Eddie Howe’s £32m guarantee
The summer transfer window has become an exercise in frustration for Newcastle United, with their hard-earned Champions League qualification failing to translate into the expected recruitment boost.
The Magpies’ inability to convince Matheus Cunha to choose St James’ Park over Old Trafford exemplifies their ongoing struggles, despite offering what appeared superior sporting prospects and the allure of Europe’s premier competition.
Cunha’s decision to join Manchester United for £71 million from Wolves represents a particularly stinging rejection, given Newcastle’s multiple advantages in the race for his signature.
Not only could the Magpies provide Champions League football—unavailable at United this season—but they also boasted a ready-made Brazilian contingent in Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton to ease his adaptation.
Yet the 26-year-old forward opted for his childhood dream, admitting: “United was my favorite English team… I dreamed of wearing the red shirt.” This emotional pull, combined with United’s superior financial package, proved decisive despite Newcastle’s £32 million Champions League windfall.
The Cunha saga sets the tone for a window where Newcastle’s ambitions have repeatedly collided with harsh realities.
Their pursuit of Benjamin Šeško now hangs in similar balance, with RB Leipzig rejecting a £65.5 million bid and Manchester United lurking as credible competitors.
Should the Slovenian striker follow Cunha’s path to Old Trafford, it would mark the third high-profile rejection of Newcastle’s project this summer—a troubling pattern for a club that expected Champions League status to transform their recruitment capabilities.
Eddie Howe’s squad building efforts have been further complicated by Liverpool’s £110 million approach for Alexander Isak, with the Swedish striker reportedly keen to explore the move.
While Newcastle have rejected the bid outright, Isak’s absence from their pre-season tour and decision to train separately in Spain suggest underlying tensions.
Retaining their talisman has become as crucial as any new signing, but the continued speculation undermines preparations for their European campaign.
Newcastle’s transfer activity thus far—Anthony Elanga’s £55 million arrival from Nottingham Forest and Aaron Ramsdale’s loan signing—pales against their extensive list of missed targets.
Hugo Ekitike joined Liverpool, James Trafford opted for Manchester City, while Chelsea snatched both Liam Delap and João Pedro from under their noses.
Each rejection reveals different challenges: financial limitations against state-backed rivals, the pull of established “Big Six” prestige, and the difficulty of competing with clubs offering higher wages despite inferior short-term sporting prospects.
The broader context paints a concerning picture for Newcastle’s ambitions. Their Champions League participation guarantees minimum £32 million earnings, with potential to reach £137 million for deep runs funds that were expected to fuel a transformative window.
Instead, they find themselves outmaneuvered in negotiations, unable to leverage their European status as effectively as anticipated. This raises questions about whether their Saudi-backed project has hit an invisible ceiling in English football’s established hierarchy.
Howe’s public comments betray the delicate balancing act he faces: projecting confidence in Newcastle’s vision while acknowledging transfer market realities.
“There are people back in England dealing with the situation,” he said regarding Isak’s future, distancing himself from negotiations to focus on preseason preparations.
This separation of duties reflects the growing complexity of Newcastle’s operations, where sporting and financial considerations require increasingly nuanced management.
As the September deadline approaches, Newcastle’s hierarchy must decide whether to compromise on long-term strategy for short-term gains. Meeting Leipzig’s full demands for Šeško could strain Financial Fair Play parameters, while losing Isak would necessitate an even costlier replacement.
Their predicament encapsulates the challenges facing ambitious clubs outside the traditional elite—even Champions League football and substantial investment don’t guarantee recruitment success when competing with established brands and deeper pockets.
For Newcastle supporters, this window serves as a sobering reminder of how far their club must still climb. The fairy-tale transformation under Saudi ownership has encountered its first significant roadblock, testing the project’s resilience.
How they respond—whether by breaking their transfer record for Šeško, fighting to keep Isak, or uncovering hidden gems—will define their ability to transition from plucky overachievers to consistent European contenders.