Newcastle have just made a late push to sign one of Europe’s most precocious talents – although he is now moving elsewhere.
As the Magpies hold talks to sign James Trafford – regarded as one of England’s best young goalkeepers – Newcastle also attempted to bring a blossoming midfield prospect to Tyneside.
So, which wonderkid did Newcastle make an unsuccessful move for? Let’s take a look…
Newcastle miss out on Assan Ouedraogo
Florian Plettenburg of Sky Germany has now revealed that Newcastle made a late – but unsuccessful – attempt to sign Assan Ouedraogo from Schalke 04.
The 18-year-old wonderkid, who has been compared to Jude Bellingham, has a €10m (£8m) release clause which Newcastle were ready to trigger, although it is RB Leipzig who are now set to sign the teenager.
Plettenburg believes Chelsea were also pushing to sign Ouedraogo in the last few hours along with Newcastle and Eintracht Frankfurt.
RB Leipzig are expected to keep the Germany U17 international and assess him throughout the summer – with a potential loan on the cards if the German outfit decide he needs to continue developing.
Eddie Howe has eyes on another midfielder
Newcastle are believed to be concerned about losing Bruno Guimaraes this summer – so Howe is understandably eyeing midfield reinforcements.
With a move for Ouedraogo now off the cards, there is another midfielder Newcastle are targeting, and that pursuit could now be accelerated as the German moves to RB Leipzig.
A story from Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy claims that Newcastle are keen to sign Lazio No.8 Matteo Guendouzi this summer – a player Howe wanted to buy back in 2021.
The France international – who Arsenal sold back in 2022 – is said to be unhappy in Rome, with Aston Villa also monitoring his situation.
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Therefore, it would not surprise us if a new central midfielder arrived at Newcastle – once the Magpies wrap up a deal for Trafford.
If talks to sign the Burnley No.1 end up collapsing – however – there is another option who Newcastle are ready to turn to swiftly…