As more news gradually begins to filter through surrounding Paul Mitchell’s abrupt departure as sporting director of Newcastle United, one thing does become more and more become clear.
And it’s that despite maintaining a united front on the surface, Mitchell and Eddie Howe definitely didn’t see eye to eye over
One claim over the last week was that Mitchell thought we overpaid for the fullback duo of Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento, but it’s not the only big disagreement the pair have had over transfers it would seem.
Howe said no to Mitchell target
Following news of Paul Mitchell’s imminent departure, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook has been discussing a transfer proposal our sporting director saw knocked back by Eddie Howe and coaching staff after a series of bids for Marc Guehi failed.
He indicates that Mitchell identified Frenchman Jean-Clair Todibo as an alternative to pursue, but was quickly knocked back as West Ham wrapped up a £35m deal instead, as Crook explains below.
“When the Marc Guehi deal fell through, Jean-Clair Todibo was Paul Mitchell’s idea of a Plan B,” he told talkSPORT.
Pushing for a move for Todibo likely stemmed from Mitchell’s Ligue 1 connections, as the 25-year-old was at Nice before he later made the move to West Ham last summer.
However, signing the Frenchman was shot down by Howe and his team, who felt he didn’t have the qualities the club was looking for.
Crook added: “The coaching staff at Newcastle ruled that out because they had done those background checks, and they looked into his character.
“Actually, if you hear some of the stories and how he has conducted himself at West Ham, I would suggest they probably dodged a bullet going against Paul Mitchell.”
Jean-Clair Todibo: West Ham's obligation to buy on-loan Nice defender activated - BBC Sport
Much like with the aforementioned Hall and Livramento, it looks like Howe and his team have certainly done their homework in regards to transfer targets, and done it well.
It’s been far from a smooth transition to the Premier League for Todibo, struggling to earn minutes in a poor West Ham side, and even reportedly having a spat with old boss Julen Lopetegui.
Meanwhile Marc Guehi, who we are once again looking at over a potential move, has formed a strong partnership with the likes of Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards in the heart of the FA Cup winning-Crystal Palace defence.
So praise must go to Howe for sticking to his guns in terms of talent identification, with news like this being a very reassuring sight to see ahead of a big transfer window where Howe and his team will likely dictate much of our activity now Mitchell is counting down the days until his departure.