Newcastle United are struggling to sign players this summer, but that does not mean they are going to end up buying just anyone.
It has been a frustrating summer at St James’ Park, with multiple players rejecting Newcastle United.
As it stands, only two players have joined the Newcastle United squad. Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale have arrived, but Newcastle want at least three more signings before the transfer window closes on 1st September.
One position the Magpies want to address is centre-midfield, having sold Sean Longstaff to Leeds United.
Jack Rudoni is a Newcastle target, but one player who will not be joining Eddie Howe’s side is former academy player Bobby Clark.
Bobby Clark in Champions League action for RB Salzburg.
Photo by ANP via Getty Images
Bobby Clark signs for Derby County after Newcastle United link
It was reported that Newcastle were offered Bobby Clark, four years after he left the Magpies to sign for Liverpool.
The 20-year-old was an intriguing option for Newcastle United, but it is an option that they have not taken.
That is because it was announced on Tuesday that Clark has moved to Derby County on loan.
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He will spend the 2025/26 season in the Championship, one year after leaving Liverpool to join RB Salzburg for £10million.
Following confirmation of the deal, the youngster took to his official Instagram account. Alongside a photo of him signing his Derby contract, Clark simply wrote: “Excited for the season.”
Would Bobby Clark have contributed towards Newcastle United’s Champions League homegrown quota?
It would have been quite the homecoming for Clark. He left Newcastle United at a desperate point in Mike Ashley’s ownership. There appeared to be no hope for the future, and he took his talents to Liverpool.
Four years on and Newcastle United are a very different club. They are preparing to compete in the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
Ahead of competing in the Champions League, Newcastle need to name at least four club-trained players in their squad or risk being penalised. However, a move for Clark would not have contributed towards their quota.
For a player to be considered ‘club-trained’, they need to have spent at least three years with the team between the ages of 15 and 21. With regards to Clark, he was 16-years-old when he left Newcastle United.
Therefore, he would not be considered a club-trained player for Newcastle United’s Champions League squad. Instead, he will be in the Championship with Derby County.