Alan Shearer admits it would be "disappointing again from Newcastle" should they miss out on Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United - particularly given their vastly superior campaign compared to their rivals.
The Magpies savoured a memorable year under Eddie Howe, clinching their first silverware in over half a century whilst also booking their return to the Champions League. Their Manchester counterparts, meanwhile, suffered through their most dismal Premier League campaign on record, limping to 15th place.
Newcastle also dominated their head-to-head encounters with the Red Devils - racking up a comprehensive 6-1 aggregate victory across both fixtures - yet their prime summer target appears to favour a switch to United.
Sesko has flourished at RB Leipzig and is regarded as one of Europe's most promising young forwards. Newcastle moved first in their pursuit of the Slovenian, whom they view as the perfect successor to Alexander Isak, but the Manchester club have since entered the fray and appear to have secured pole position.
Shearer is exasperated that another high-profile target seems destined to slip through Newcastle's fingers as they struggle to capitalise on one of the club's finest seasons.
He told Betfair: "It sounds as if Benjamin Sesko had two clubs to choose from in Newcastle and Man United. One that won a trophy last year and is now playing Champions League football this season - and one that didn't win anything, finished 15th and had a dreadful season.
"I understand that Man United are a huge football club, not so much a huge football team at this moment in time. I get it. I understand it. It looks as if, by all accounts, he prefers a move to Man United. It's disappointing again from Newcastle, another target it looks like they're going to miss out on and I said it about a week ago, it looks as if it's been a disastrous window for Newcastle."
Eddie Howe's efforts to bolster his squad have been met with frustration as Newcastle continue to miss out on key targets, leaving them underprepared for their upcoming Champions League campaign. Antony Elanga remains their sole acquisition, having joined from Nottingham Forest for £55 million.
Newcastle's pursuit of players such as Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo, and James Trafford has been fruitless, with each player opting for alternative destinations despite the Magpies' well-publicised interest. The potential departure of Isak, who has expressed a desire to leave amid interest from Liverpool, could be the most significant setback yet.