It’s deja vue for United as deals prove hard to pull off

NEWCASTLE United have encountered difficulties in landing their top targets on the continent so far this summer but Eddie Howe has already been able to bring in the Premier League experience he desired.

Newcastle were quick to resurrect moves for Reims striker Hugo Ekitike and Lille defender Sven Botman before the window even officially opened just two weeks ago. However, like in January, these deals have been tricky to pull off.

Although an agreement was reached with Reims, Ekitike’s agent Karl Mwalako Buchmann, appears to be keeping his client’s options open.

While Botman was originally open to a move to Newcastle, reaching an agreement has been challenging and the Magpies’ pursuit of the Dutchman was become something of a saga this summer.

Newcastle have refused to give up on either of these players, who the hierarchy believe can grow with the club in the coming years, but the Magpies are prepared to move for alternative targets if required.

The issue is Newcastle are now fishing in a smaller pond and attempting to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations at the same time, so there are only a select number of realistic second or third-choice options who would be distinct upgrades - like Dan Burn was back in January.

Burn’s Premier League experience was valued, as someone who could immediately hit the ground running and, tellingly, Howe has again targeted proven top-flight players for positions where he felt background was needed.

Nick Pope completed a £10m switch from Burnley on Thursday and Matt Targett’s loan move from Aston Villa has already been made permanent for £15m.

Between them, Pope and Targett have made 283 appearances in the Premier League to date.

Although Howe wanted a goalkeeper and left-back who did not need an adjustment period, which is a real bonus, the Newcastle boss is also more open to signing younger alternatives on the continent this summer as they will not be parachuted into a relegation battle like they would have been in January.