From Ekitike to Manzambi: How Newcastle keep losing marquee signings to Premier League rivals

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18 July 2026

Newcastle United

have endured a nightmare in the transfer market over the last two summers, with the Magpies repeatedly beaten to key targets.

Johan Manzambi

has become the latest to turn down a transfer to Tyneside, in favour of a

Premier League

rival. Newcastle had reached an agreement with Freiburg for Manzambi, only for the Switzerland midfielder to join

Aston Villa

It's continued a worrying trend for Newcastle's project.

James Trafford

was Newcastle's top target to become the club's new goalkeeper last summer, with the Magpies prepared to meet Burnley's asking price. However, at the 11th hour,

Manchester City

stole in to activate their buy-back agreement and re-sign Trafford, after matching Newcastle's £31m offer.

It's a move that Trafford perhaps regretted, after spending the season as back-up to Gianluigi Donnarumma, signed later in the window. Newcastle could revisit the deal this summer.

A long-running saga, Newcastle had been close to signing Pedro in 2022, even getting the 'Here we Go' treatment from Fabrizio Romano. Pedro instead signed for Brighton and after an impressive period on the south coast was targeted again last summer.

Newcastle

submitted bids up to £60m for the Brazilian

, only for Pedro to decide on

Chelsea

. He scored 23 goals last season to earn Chelsea's Player of the Season award, as Newcastle's striker signings struggled.

Newcastle were one of several clubs that

Liam Delap

spoke to last summer, alongside the likes of Everton,

Manchester United

and

. A relegation release clause of £30m sparked a scramble for his services, with

winning the race.

A deal that perhaps stings more than most. With

Alexander Isak

pushing for an exit, Newcastle identified Eintracht Frankfurt forward

Hugo Ekitike

as an ideal replacement.

The Magpies

tabled a

club-record £70m bid for Ekitike

, but their own stance on Isak came back to haunt them.

Liverpool

, frustrated with Newcastle's hard-ball over Isak, instead pivoted to Ekitike as an alternative and signed the Frenchman for an initial £69m. Newcastle's misery was compounded when Isak eventually got his wish and left for Liverpool on deadline day, leaving the Reds with an embarrassment of attacking riches.

Benjamin Sesko

was also part of Newcastle's striker search last summer, as the Magpies

submitted multiple bids

. The second offer for Sesko was £69.7m, which with add-ons could rise to almost £75m.

The Slovenian, however, turned down the move after rival interest from

Another sore one, Newcastle had

agreed a deal to sign Osasuna winger Victor Munoz

earlier this summer. Eddie Howe's side had agreed to activate the Spaniard's £35.5m release clause, only for Liverpool to hijack the move to leave the Newcastle flummoxed.

Newcastle were confused as the deal stalled with everything agreed, before realisation arrived that Munoz wanted Anfield.

Armed with a war-chest following the sales of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, Newcastle sought to sign a star on the rise in

. The 20-year-old shone at the World Cup with Switzerland and Newcastle made their move.

Newcastle reached an agreement with

SC Freiburg

to sign Manzambi for £49m, only for

to trump that offer with a club-record £59.5m bid. The

lure of Champions League football

took Manzambi to Villa Park.

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