In another transfer race against Liverpool, Newcastle United are already reportedly facing a frustrating problem in pursuit of Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez.
Those at St James' Park have to get their transfer business right next year. The summer was simply far too chaotic and they've been paying the price ever since. Had they been more organised and got their business over the line early, Eddie Howe's side may have clicked back into top gear by now.
The reality is that they're far from their best right now and defeat against West Ham United exposed that. Howe was understandably left disappointed by his side and told reporters that he could've taken anyone off at half-time.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville backed that criticism, claiming that Newcastle let their manager down in a scathing review of their performance on Sunday.
"I thought they really let the manager down, who is fantastic. A manager who has got a great record, but they've got a lot of work to do.
"The actual gap between the top and the bottom is big in some ways but if you drop your effort and you drop your actual intensity, you're going to get found out very quickly in this league.
"And they've been found out today like you wouldn't believe, Newcastle. I thought they were lethargic, leggy and I thought their attitude was really poor to that game."
Sat in the bottom half of the Premier League after falling to defeat against the Hammers, Newcastle are already looking towards the January transfer window and beyond for solutions.
The likes of Alexander Sorloth are reportedly among the names on the Magpies' list of targets, but it's not just strikers that they're looking at.
Those on Tyneside are also reportedly targeting a move to sign Ordonez, but must first overcome a frustrating problem in pursuit of his signature.
Newcastle pushing to sign Ordonez
As reported by Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, Newcastle are now pushing to sign Ordonez in a fresh transfer battle with Liverpool, but have been handed their first problem by the defender's recent contract renewal.
The Club Brugge star has put pen to paper on a fresh deal which is set to last until 2029. This means that the Magpies will likely have to pay a premium price if they want to land the defender's signature as soon as 2026, with Brugge now in a strong negotiating position.
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O'Rourke told Football Insider: “Liverpool, obviously we know about their defensive issues. He’s been linked to Aston Villa who are also admirers of him and Newcastle as well have been keeping tabs on the Ecuador international’s situation.
“He’s done very well for Club Brugge, playing in the Champions League, playing at the highest level and has been outstanding for Ecuador in their successful qualification to the World Cup.
“There was obviously speculation around his future in the summer, but Brugge managed to keep hold of him and tied him down to a new contract in September that runs until 2029."
Newcastle duo must now never start together again