Manchester United's new recruit, Matheus Cunha, chose the Red Devils over Newcastle United despite the latter being able to offer Champions League football this season. The Magpies were keen on securing the talented Wolves forward following his standout performances last year. The prospect of playing alongside compatriots Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, as well as the lure of Champions League football, was thought to be able to sway the Brazilian toward St James' Park, with a deal said to be hinging on whether or not they secured a place in Europe's prime competition.
However, even after qualifying for Europe on the final day of the season - which supposedly gave them a green light to do a deal with Cunha and is expected to guarantee Newcastle £32million - the club was snubbed by the 26-year-old. Cunha surprised Newcastle officials by opting for United instead. Despite Ruben Amorim's side finishing 15th last season and missing out on European football after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, United secured Cunha's services for £62.5m.
It's been suggested that the Red Devils were able to offer higher wages to Cunha. The player himself later revealed that Manchester United was indeed the team he supported growing up.
"It is hard to put into words my feelings about becoming a Manchester United player," he said following the confirmation of his signing.
"Ever since I was a child in Brazil watching Premier League games on TV at my grandmother's house, United was my favourite English team and I dreamed of wearing the red shirt. I want to thank my family and everyone who has helped me make that dream a reality."
The maximum potential prize money for a participant in the Champions League stands at £137m, with Newcastle assured of at least £32m, setting the stage for an exhilarating summer of transfer dealings. However, Newcastle's moves have been somewhat underwhelming thus far.
Despite acquiring Anthony Elanga for £55m from Nottingham Forest and snapping up Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan, Howe has watched several high-profile targets choose to ply their trade elsewhere for the forthcoming season.
While Cunha made his way to Manchester, another prospect, French forward Hugo Ekitike, opted for Liverpool as he joined the Reds from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Burnley's sought-after goalkeeper James Trafford ended up signing with Manchester City. Ipswich's Liam Delap and Brighton's Joao Pedro, both on Newcastle's radar, eventually signed for Chelsea, and ex-Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo also decided on a switch to United rather than Newcastle.
Newcastle United's pursuit of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko has also hit a snag, with the Magpies' hefty £65.5m bid plus £4m in add-ons being rebuffed. Tensions are mounting at St James' Park over fears that Manchester United might swoop for the formidable Slovenian forward, as manager Amorim is also keen on Sesko.
Should United secure his services, Sesko would become the third player this transfer window to choose Old Trafford over Newcastle. To further complicate matters for the Toon, Liverpool tabled a staggering £110m offer for their talismanic striker Alexander Isak. Despite Isak's openness to seeking pastures new, Newcastle remained resolute in their efforts to retain him and rejected the bid swiftly.
Speaking on the events, Howe said: "I think from my situation, I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home. I was made aware there was a bid yesterday.
"That bid was turned down before I heard about it. There are people back in England dealing with the situation. I really don't know what is going to happen next, but from our perspective, we still support Alex in every way, and my wish is still that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again."