[Newcastle United](https://readnewcastle.com/2026/08/28/newcastle-united-final-nick-woltemade-transfer-decision-confirmed/) still have some work to do before the summer transfer window slams shut. One of their tasks has to be strengthening the midfield department further.
Newcastle United have lost two key midfielders this summer in the form of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. The former joined Tottenham Hotspur. The latter moved to Arsenal.
Have they been replaced adequately? 18-year-old Sean Steur was brought in from Ajax. That was followed by the signing of 20-year-old Aladji Bamba from AS Monaco. That has been followed by the signing of Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City.
But it still feels like something is missing in that midfield department. As it turns out, Newcastle United were willing to make a pretty significant offer for a Croatian international.
According to [Sacha Tavolieri](https://x.com/sachatavolieri/status/2093407275842929070), Martin Baturina will stay at Como 1907 this season. The Croatian midfielder was highly sought-after, with offers from Newcastle United and Aston Villa.
Both English clubs were ready to offer up to €70 million to sign the Croatian international, but Como considered the midfielder untouchable.
Baturina has scored 8 goals and provided 4 assists in 35 appearances for Como so far. The 23-year-old has also appeared 23 times for Croatia already. It is not hard to see why the Italian club are not keen to part ways.
So, no move to Newcastle United is on the cards. It remains to be seen if the club end up signing a number 10 before this summer window closes.
They have been linked with a different number 10 recently. But will they be able to get a deal done in time with the summer transfer window quickly heading towards its conclusion?
Newcastle United have been linked with Bilal El Khannouss in recent days. He is a full Moroccan international and currently plays for VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.
Obviously, the Magpies have dealt with VfB Stuttgart in the recent past. They shelled out £69 million to sign Nick Woltemade last summer.
If they do end up signing El Khannouss this time around, they will be hoping for much better results. It is believed that a transfer fee in the region of €55-60 million would be required.
One advantage of signing El Khannouss would be the fact that he already knows English football well. He has played in the Premier League with Leicester City and it is only this summer that he joined VfB Stuttgart permanently.