Newcastle United have suffered many failed attempts to bring players to the club.
Most recently, Newcastle failed in their attempts to land Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in a move sporting director Paul Mitchell will want to forget in a hurry.
Since Newcastle’s new owners arrived in October 2021 there has been a slew of players of high and low quality linked with a move to the North East but despite best efforts, they haven’t materialised.
Sometimes the move just doesn’t fit a player or their age makes moving away more difficult for them. This was the case when Newcastle wanted Hugo Ekitike in January 2022, things were moving too fast and he ended up staying in France.
For some players, they refuse to join a club because of outright bizarre reasons and this player in particular had a crazy excuse as to why he rejected Newcastle in 2017.
Rúben Semedo (35) of Al Duhail on the ball during the QNB Stars League on August 22, 2022 at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Photo by Simon Holmes/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ruben Semedo reveals weather in Newcastle made him reject a move to Tyneside
In 2017, defender Ruben Semedo was gearing up to head to the under-21 European Championships in Italy and San Marino.
At the time he was with Sporting Lisbon he was told that he had the choice of two clubs to join. Villareal and Newcastle, who was managed by Rafael Benitez at the time.
In an interview with Marca (as per Sport Witness), he revealed what happened.
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“It was when I was leaving for the U21 European championship, which we lost to Spain,” he said.
“My agent told me that there was a proposal from Villarreal and Newcastle, but I saw on the internet that it was raining a lot there and I said no. I had the idea of Villarreal, who like to play football.
“I had the idea of Villarreal, who like to play football. Riquelme, Forlán and I said ‘no, I’m going there’. I didn’t think twice.”
An offer was on the table for someone Benitez was a fan of but good old English weather ended any chance of him coming.
Semedo would only make four league appearances in two years for Villareal before loan moves to Huesca and Rio Ave. He would sign for Olympiacos in 2019 before returning to Portugal. In recent years he has played in Qatar, most recently for Qatari Second Division side Al-Khor.
He’s won eight trophies in his career, which includes three since 2022.
Eddie Howe must hope the weather won’t halt Newcastle’s January transfer plans
Newcastle want to be active in the transfer market but must be aware of their ongoing battles to adhere with PSR.
Newcastle have transfer targets that head coach Eddie Howe will be keen on signing in January.
Howe wants to sign a striker, winger and goalkeeper as they look to improve their chances of a return to European football after narrowly missing out last season. Newcastle wants Johan Bakayoko and Bryan Mbeumo have been discussed with each player having a £50m price tag on their heads.
Weather hasn’t looked to be a problem in recent times for Newcastle with Sandro Tonali swapping sunny Italy for Tyneside last season.