Newcastle United may have been very disappointed to see one bit of business their Premier League rival has already done at the start of the summer transfer window.
Eddie Howe’s side are yet to get properly stuck into the market, with the Magpies strengthening the squad without securing a marquee deal. The focus instead, has been bringing funds in, with players such as Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson being sold.
So perhaps that is why Newcastle were seemingly not contenders to complete one of the marquee deals of the window so far, with Tottenham triggering a release clause to secure a £35 million move.
Spurs have landed the signature of Archie Gray, with the 18-year-old’s release clause being triggered after Leeds failed to secure promotion last season. And it seems that Newcastle were one of those to miss out on a potential deal.
Newcastle regularly scouted Archie Gray last season
The Times reports that Newcastle were one of the teams to regularly scout Gray at Elland Road last season, with Borussia Dortmund also monitoring the teenager consistently following his first-team debut for Daniel Farke’s side.
Howe appears to have made a big effort to open up a pathway for younger players to reach the first-team, with Lewis Miley the biggest revelation last season, while a lot was spent on signing Lewis Hall permanently from Chelsea.
So the Magpies may well be frustrated that they have missed out on Gray, with Tottenham managing to wrap up a move over the weekend before confirming his arrival on Monday.
Magpies may wonder what could have been in years to come
Newcastle have not been able to spend in the way many expected when the new owners arrived at the club a few years ago – they have looked for real opportunities in the market, as shown by the free transfer for Lloyd Kelly.
But Gray’s fee could prove to be a bargain should he realise his full potential, with the youngster looking like an ‘incredible‘ talent.
So Newcastle may be one of several teams who wonder what could have been should Gray go on and become the superstar Tottenham hope he will be.
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