Newcastle could be set for another transfer blow after they lost out on the signing of Benjamin Sesko to Manchester United, with Juventus expressing strong interest in one of their star players.
The Magpies have been left to lick their wounds during a nightmare window so far, missing out on no fewer than 10 transfer targets as they prepare for their return to the Champions League.
Sesko to United marks the latest transfer fail in a window that the Tyneside club have struggled to compete with the traditional ‘top six’.
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Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, James Trafford and Liam Delap are just some of the names the Magpies have missed out on to their Premier League rivals.
Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike joined Liverpool instead
| GettyBut, while the Tyneside club have struggled to attract players to St James’ Park, their transfer woes don’t end there.
Star striker Alexander Isak has made his feelings clear on his intent to leave the club to join Liverpool this window, who have seen an initial bid of £110m firmly rebuffed by Eddie Howe’s side.
While Isak’s future remains uncertain, with the Reds selling forwards Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez to raise an additional £110m in transfer funds, he may not be the only star player to leave Newcastle this summer.
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| PAAccording to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have a strong interest in midfielder Sandro Tonali, and are willing to offer two players in the deal.
Tonali, 25, joined Newcastle from AC Milan in a £55million deal two years ago, although he was slapped with a 10-month ban almost immediately due to breaking gambling regulations.
The Italian has shone during his second season at the club though, playing in 36 of the Magpies’ league fixtures and contributing four goals, including a stunning last-gasp effort from an awkward angle against Brentford.
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But it’s not the goals that he is known for. It’s the formidable trio he completes in the middle of the park for Newcastle along with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
Losing Tonali, who would be returning to his home country if he wanted the move, would prove severely detrimental to Newcastle’s already suffering squad.
What would prove handy, though, would be the addition of another midfielder and a top striker - which is exactly what Juventus are said to be offering.
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Juventus could be set to offer Douglas Luiz and Dusan Vlahovic in a bid to secure Sandro Tonali's signature
|Getty/PA
Dusan Vlahovic, who scored 17 goals last year and boasts vast amounts of experience at the top level at the age of just 25, and former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz are reportedly on the table from the Turin-based club in a swap deal.
While losing Tonali could be devastating for Howe’s side, gaining a replacement midfielder and striker instead could be of interest.
Selling Isak to Newcastle for £150m would then free up additional funds to go after more targets. Samu Aghehowa of FC Porto and Malick Thiaw at AC Milan have been linked.
It could be a good deal for all parties as a result, one that would see Tonali return to his home country, Newcastle fill their striker void and Juventus get their man.
But, with chaos at St James’ Park already and the season just around the corner, letting a crucial cog in their wheel depart could prove too much of a risk.