Benjamin Sesko went to Manchester United after talks with Newcastle United while Joao Pedro opted for Chelsea after discussions with the Magpies - but Eddie Howe is focused on ending the window on a high
Manchester United's Benjamin Sesko applauds the Old Trafford fans
Manchester United's Benjamin Sesko applauds the Old Trafford fans
(Image: PA)
Eddie Howe has reflected on missing out on big deals like Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro - admitting tireless work went into transfer negotiations this month.
Howe says hat the summer transfer window has not gone as planned - but insists that the Magpies can still end it on a high.
Howe's wish, after the final day defeat against Everton last season, was to act with "speed" and get deals through the door early. However, Newcastle suffered a series of setbacks when bidding for targets such as Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko, and have also been hamstrung by Alexander Isak essentially requesting to quit St James' Park for Liverpool.
But Howe has kept a cool head, and while £55m Anthony Elanga took time after talks with Nottingham Forest, he has at least signed one big hitter. After Aaron Ramsdale was also added to the squad on a season long loan, Howe is now looking for a centre-back and potentially two strikes to conclude business.
Ideally, he would love to add a central midfielder to the ranks too, but with time running out, he must get his priorities right.
Reflecting on business, Howe said: "We were set up to do our business early, but I'm sure every club would say the same, because the preference is you get your players in and they do a full pre-season and enter the season knowing exactly what's expected.
"We're not going to be in that position, albeit we've signed a couple of really important players. But we've lost some really important players as well, so it's rebalancing the squad in the way we want.
"What will be will be in terms of timings. It's all about the right player. We have to hold our high standards and sign the players who we think will make a difference."
In what feels like a transfer window like no other, after deals slipped away from Newcastle despite bold bids, Howe said: "I think the club has been dynamic and proactive. We have tried.
"There's been a lot reported, some very accurate and some not so.
"But through no fault of anyone working behind the scenes, we haven't been able to close some deals that at one stage looked very close but just got away from us.
"That can happen to any deal until it's signed, sealed, and delivered. The pool is very small and everyone is fighting for the same players."
Speaking about the deals that got away, like Pedro and Sesko, Howe said: "We've lost out on a number of deals that could have fallen our way.
"But when you're in my shoes you do a lot of work on each target and then you have to go back to the drawing board and do it again, while having in the back of your mind the player you bring in has to make a positive difference.
"That process has happened a number of times and we'll have to do it again. I have no issue doing it. There's no guarantee, let's see what we can do."
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