No signings: Frustration for Benitez

Newcastle United ended the summer transfer window with a whimper – after failing to get a single deadline day deal over the line.

Rafa Benitez had hoped to see a number of arrivals yesterday – seeking to sign another forward, a left-sided player and a goalkeeper.

But proposed loan deals for Chelsea winger Kenedy and Southampton left-back Matt Targett fell through, and Dwight Gayle, last season’s 23-goal leading scorer, ended up staying on Tyneside.

Fulham had bid £15million for the striker on Wednesday, but the Magpies couldn ot secure a replacement for Gayle.

Owner Mike Ashley had promised Benitez “every last penny” generated through promotion and player sales at the end of last season.

The Tynesiders’ net spend on six players in the summer transfer window was an estimated £40million. However, that figure was offset by a number of departures, notably those of Florian Thauvin and Daryl Murphy.

They further trimmed its wage bill by moving out Tim Krul, Siem de Jong, Achraf Lazaar, Emmanuel Riviere and Grant Hanley.

Krul and Lazaar signed season-long loan deals with Brighton and Italian club Benevento respectively.

Jack Colback stayed, despite interest from Championship clubs. The ex-Sunderland midfielder – who has two years left on his contract – is likely to be left out of Benitez’s 25-man Premier League squad.