Newcastle United have encountered difficulties in the transfer window but Manchester United may have presented a golden opportunity, if they want to take it.
The summer transfer window has been a slog for Newcastle United so far, with Eddie Howe missing out on his top attacking targets.
Matheus Cunha quickly joined Manchester United and Bryan Mbeumo looked to be following him, though the Reds might yet be priced out, like Newcastle were.
Elsewhere, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro both opted for Chelsea.
There does, however, seem to be some light at the end of the tunnel. James Trafford is expected to sign soon, Newcastle are closing in on Anthony Elanga and Giorgio Scalvini is being monitored.
Those three signings would be positive for Newcastle, but many would have expected more firepower to be recruited after Champions League football was secured.
Newcastle struggled to juggle European and Premier League commitments last time and need to significantly improve their squad depth to compete on multiple fronts.
If desired players are going elsewhere, Newcastle might have to start taking risks and thinking outside the box.
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Maybe they could start by taking advantage of Man Utd beating them to players by signing some of theirs.
Like Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho.
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho hug after a goal for Man Utd vs Burnley.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho tell Manchester United they want to leave
According to Manchester World, Man Utd have a bit of an exodus on their hands this summer as five players have told the club they want to leave.
As expected, Garnacho and Rashford are on and headline the list after their respective fallings out of favour with Ruben Amorim.
They are unsurprisingly joined by Antony and Jadon Sancho, who both spent time out on loan like Rashford last year, and injury-ravaged left-back Tyrell Malacia.
It’s reported that Man U have made the major decision to not stand in their way and have granted them a late return to pre-season training to complete a transfer away from Old Trafford.
While the quintet’s stock couldn’t be much lower, Newcastle have the chance to bring in Rashford or Garnacho on the cheap and have their investment return tenfold if they can get one of them back to their best.
Newcastle United should consider signing Garnacho or Rashford
No one is suggesting Newcastle consider Sancho or Antony, given their atrocious performances since signing for Man Utd, but there is certainly potential for Garnacho and Rashford to rediscover their best form away from the career graveyard that is Old Trafford.
Garnacho, especially, could be a shrewd signing for Newcastle. Though there might be question marks over the 21-year-old’s attitude, with some maturing needed, his talent is without doubt.
Even though he wasn’t a guaranteed starter last term, Garnacho still contributed 11 goals and 10 assists and was often Man U’s only bright spark in a terrible season.
Allowing the Argentine to leave feels like a decision they will come to deeply regret, and Newcastle could be the beneficiaries. He has better stats than Elanga, whom Newcastle are willing to pay £55m for.
Given his obvious talent and young age, signing Garnacho could be a masterstroke for Newcastle.
Rashford isn’t quite as appealing but has been linked with Newcastle. Now 27, the England international’s career has been on a steady decline since 2023.
Yet, he did score 30 goals and grab 12 assists just two seasons ago and showed flashes of that class on loan at Aston Villa, with a particularly excellent game against PSG in the Champions League.
Newcastle could use a versatile forward who is at home on the flanks but can play through the middle if Alexander Isak is out of action.
Rashford, if available on the cheap, could solve those problems.