Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe openly acknowledged their interest in signing one of their star players following their Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
In the wake of Newcastle United’s Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund, manager Eddie Howe shed light on the club’s quest to bolster their midfield. The Magpies were in dire need of midfield reinforcements during the summer transfer window and ultimately secured a significant signing in the form of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan. The Italian player’s acquisition came at a hefty club-record price tag of £60 million ($72.73 million), showcasing the club’s ambition.
Interestingly, the club’s pursuit of Tonali had an alternative, one that came back to haunt them. Felix Nmecha, coincidentally, was the one who scored the winning goal for Borussia Dortmund against Newcastle on that Wednesday night.
The German midfielder had been under the watchful eye of Newcastle scouts for an extended period, earning a place on the club’s list of potential midfield targets during the summer.
Eddie Howe, in the aftermath of the match, confirmed the club’s interest in Nmecha.
“He’s (Nmecha) a player that we looked at and really liked,” confirmed the Newcastle boss to reporters.
“But, yeah, he’s obviously a Dortmund player now. Was it a case of us getting someone else instead? It’s never as simple as that.”
However, the twist in the tale was that Nmecha had already become a Dortmund player. It left fans and pundits wondering if Newcastle had opted for Tonali because they failed to secure Nmecha’s signature.
As Howe pointed out, the world of football transfers is rarely straightforward. The decision to pursue one player over another involves various factors, including availability, negotiations, and the ever-changing dynamics of the transfer market.