Newcastle United's transfer frustrations are intensifying after a difficult start to the summer window, with former player John Anderson warning the club must improve its approach to signing players.
Struggles in the transfer market
The Magpies appeared to be in good shape after quickly securing the exit of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, which unlocked extra spending power. They promptly invested some of that in exciting France U21 goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen from Reims. However, their progress hit a major obstacle when first-choice target to replace Gordon, Osasuna winger Victor Munoz, opted to join Liverpool instead, snubbing Newcastle at the 11th hour despite having originally agreed terms on a move to Tyneside.
Pundits sound the alarm
Former United star John Anderson, now a pundit and co-commentator for BBC Newcastle, believes something must change quickly. "They need to do something to get players in," he told the TotalSport show. "This is the second time where this has happened where we thought we had a deal done. The Trafford one springs to mind last season where it dragged on and everyone thought it was a deal that was going to be done and then all of a sudden he ends up going back to Manchester City."
Anderson added: "So it's we said at the back end of last season that they need to do deals but they just need to go and get them done. Go and get them done, they're signed and they go 'we've signed this player'. But everything seems to be played out in the Press. Whether that's a deliberate ploy by agents or what not to get other clubs interested I do not know. But it needs to be better."
Shearer echoes frustration
Anderson's comments echo those of Alan Shearer after the collapse of the Munoz deal. The Magpies' record goalscorer was as frustrated as fans at being pipped once more by Liverpool. "Newcastle are trying to do business early, I think," Shearer said. "Perhaps Newcastle need to look at doing things a lot earlier and paying what they have to pay."
The setback has been keenly felt by supporters who fear a repeat of last summer's window, when the Magpies missed out on a series of top targets including James Trafford, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Szeko.
