The transfer window is finally closed for another few months and it’s been yet another wild summer of rumours and moves, as Newcastle United know all too well.
Newcastle United will no doubt be glad to see the back of the summer transfer window, which has brought little but stress for Eddie Howe and supporters.
It’s been a long summer of identifying an exciting target only to see them join Premier League rivals instead, with Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro and Bryan Mbeumo headlining a long list.
That’s not to mention the Alexander Isak saga, which finally concluded with the striker moving to Liverpool on deadline day for £125m.
Thankfully, Newcastle managed to get Yoane Wissa over the line themselves following their record signing of Nick Woltemade. Still, the club will be glad to see the back of the window.
A long list of players have been linked with Newcastle over an exhausting summer but here are three of the wildest names that were never going to arrive, plus one crazy rumour concerning a player already at the club.
Rodrygo
Rodrygo playing for Real Madrid in the Champions League against Arsenal.
Photo by Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images
With so much attacking might being signed at Real Madrid over the last year, Rodrygo has seen himself gradually pushed towards the door.
All the vital Champions League goals count for little if you’re not a brand-spanking new signing, apparently, and the Brazilian had been linked with a move all summer.
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Manchester City and Arsenal appeared the most keen and even Newcastle were linked.
Back in May, reports in Italian media suggested Rodrygo was on Newcastle’s radar but, obviously, that never even came close to happening and there was no speculation from elsewhere.
In the end, Rodrygo remained at the Bernabeu.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford playing for Aston Villa against Manchester City in the Premier League.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
One player who did move in the transfer window, joining Rodrygo in Spain, was Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford.
Despite a promising loan spell at Aston Villa, Ruben Amorim still didn’t want Rashford in his squad and the forward was told to find another club.
He didn’t do too badly, as the England international sealed a one-year loan at La Liga champions Barcelona.
Before the switch, reports had credited Newcastle with an interest but Rashford was never on their radar.
Viktor Gyokeres
Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres during a game between Sweden and Slovakia.
Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images
While one striker left the Premier League, another arrived as Viktor Gyokeres signed for Arsenal in a £64m transfer.
The Swede, an international teammate of Isak, bagged an incredible 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last term and predictably attracted a lot of interest as a result.
Several clubs appeared to be keen, with Arsenal eventually pulling away from the chasing pack.
Newcastle were linked with Gyokeres before the window opened and had scouted him in 2023, but stood no chance once the bigger fish came calling.
William Osula
Will Osula celebrates after scoring in a Premier League game between Newcastle United and Liverpool.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Perhaps the most unbelievable transfer rumour in the entirety of the transfer window came on deadline day.
Out of nowhere, it was suggested that William Osula could head to Eintracht Frankfurt for a massive £30m.
Had Newcastle managed to get such a high fee for Osula, it’d have seen the club earn a profit of £15m after a single year, with the striker scoring just two goals in that time.
However, the deal fell through, and Osula will remain with the squad at least until January.