No-Pull Magpies - Every Signing Newcastle Have Failed To Make In the Space of the Last Year

No-Pull Magpies - Every Signing Newcastle Have Failed To Make In the Space of the Last Year

Premier League blog

All The Players Who Have Rejected The Chance To Sign For Newcastle Over The Last Year

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It's fair to say the last year has been a painful one for supporters of Newcastle United.

The club came into the 25/26 season which much optimism, after enjoying perhaps their greatest season in half a century the previous campaign, securing a place in the UEFA Champions League and ending a 50-year trophy druaght by defeating Liverpool at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final.

However, what has happened since has been nothing short of a disaster on and off the pitch.

A disappointing season in 25/26 saw the club finish 12th in the table, below arch-rivals Sunderland who also did the double in the Tyne-Wear derby over their fierce rivals, with new signings such as Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa failing to perform. And this summer things have seemingly gone from bad to worse, with star midfielders Sandro Tonali and captain Bruno Guimarães leaving the club, with manager Eddie Howe also leaving St. James Park.

And it's been off the pitch which has been at the route of their problems, particularly in the transfer market where alongside key players leaving, the club has struggled to attract it's main targets.

With many choosing against signing for the Magpies over the last year, here is who has rejected the chance to sign for Newcastle in last summer and this summer's window.

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

The latest, and perhaps the most surprising, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg was seemingly wanted by Newcastle as an experienced option in midfield following the departures of Tonali and Guimarães.

The Dane has strong experience playing in the Premier League, having made over 100 appearances each for both Southampton and Tottenham.

A move for the 31-year-old was looking to be agreed for around £13 million, with Newcastle prepared to pay that price for Højbjerg with new manager Matthias Jaissle keen on bringing the midfielder to Tyneside. However, the move was put off after the former Bayern prospect turned down the proposal put forward by Newcastle, leaving Newcastle once more looking for names beyond their key targets.

Johan Manzambi

One of the breakout stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 20-year-old Johan Manzambi continued a brilliant breakout season with Freiburg in Germany with a strong World Cup campagin for Switzerland. Manzambi scored seven goals and claimed six assists in 47 appearances for the Bundesliga side and won the Young Player of the Tournament award in the UEFA Europa League as Freiburg reached the final, where they lost to Aston Villa.

The World Cup then saw Manzambi score three times from midfield, putting his name on the map and alerting club across Europe, with Newcastle quickly deciding to push forward with a move, and agreed a £60 million fee with Freiburg.

However, Manzambi was yet to agree personal terms with the Magpies, and whilst they waited for the green light, Aston Villa pounced.

Within hours, Manzambi had given his priority to Villa and agreed terms, with Villa soon matching the bid sent to Freiburg. And soon after, the deal was done with Manzambi announced as Aston Villa's new midfield signing.

Victor Munoz

The early departure of Anthony Gordon to FC Barcelona left a hole in the left side of Newcastle's attack, and soon the club identifed Osasuna's Victor Munoz as the man to replace the England international.

Munoz joined Osasuna from Real Madrid last season, and scored seven goals and five assists for the Navarre club.

Despite having a €40 million release clause, the Magpies looked to agree a deal lower for the 23-year-old winger, and sent a bid worth around €30 million and were confident of agreeing a deal to bring Munoz to the club.

However, despite being in advanced talks for days, Liverpool moved quick to hijack the deal, triggering Munoz's release clause and agreeing all terms on a deal to bring the winger to Anfield.

Hugo Ekitike

Just like Munoz, striker Hugo Ekitike was heavily wanted by Newcastle, before ending up at Anfield.

Needing a big money striker to potentially replace Alexander Isak, Newcastle targeted Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike following the Frenchman scoring 22 goals and assisting 12 for the Bundesliga side.

Newcastle submitted a bid to Eintracht close to €80 million, but as negotiations moved Liverpool saw their chance to pounce and quickly won Ekitike's heart, with the then 23-year-old striker then wanting to sign for the Reds.

Soon after, a €90 million deal was all agreed for the Frenchman to head to Merseyside where, to add salt in Geordie wounds, Isak would soon join too.

Benjamin Sesko

Alongside Ekitike, RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko was heavily targeted by Newcastle as a big money forward signing in summer 2025.

Newcastle, without an agreement on personal terms with Sesko, bid big for the striker, sending an offer of €90 million to Leipzig for the Slovenian.

Soon after, Manchester United entered the race, submitting a bid similar to that of Newcastle and leaving Sesko with a decision to make - St. James Park or Old Trafford.

After a number of days of waiting for the striker's decision, Sesko agreed terms with Manchester United, in another blow to Newcastle following the rejection of Ekitike.

Zadok Yohanna

A young winger on the radar of multiple clubs in the Premier League and Europe, teenage Nigerian winger Zadok Yohanna was of much interest to major European clubs and looked set to leave Swedish side AIK in the early stages of the 2026 summer window.

Newcastle were one of those clubs interested in the winger, who started the new Swedish league season strong for AIK with two goals and two assists in the opening seven games. The Magpies however were facing heavy competition from Brighton & Hove Albion for the player's signature.

But once more, Newcastle missed out on agreeing terms, with Yohanna choosing to sign for the Seagulls in a €28 million move. Chelsea were also reportedly in the race for the young winger but Brighton won the race for Yohanna who penned a contract at the south coast club.

Joao Pedro

A player Newcastle have twice tried to sign, and twice failed, Joao Pedro may be at Chelsea now but it could have looked so different.

Whilst the Brazilian was at Watford in the Championship in 2022, Newcastle were keen on the serivices of the forward, and agreed a fee with the Hornets for £25 million.

The deal looked all done, and even got the famous 'here we go' from Fabrizio Romano, however at the 11th hour it all collapsed, with Pedro deciding to stay at Watford instead.

The following summer, Pedro would end up leaving Watford for Brighton, and two years after that Newcastle came calling once more as Pedro looked to leave the Amex Stadium after a strong spell on the south coast.

The Magpies were heavily interested, but so were Chelsea, and Pedro decided on a move to Stamford Bridge, where he scored 26 goals in an impressive debut campagin.

Oliver Seymour
Oliver Seymour Content Writer

Oliver Seymour - Content Writer at Football Park

Freelance journalist and Content Writer for Football Park since November 2025. Oliver is a keen writer who enjoys writing informative and engaging articles surrounding the Premier League, EFL, UEFA competitions and more.

A lifelong and passionate Arsenal fan, Oliver has been a season ticket holder at Emirates Stadium since 2014 at the age of nine, and continues to follow the Gunners at every home game and the occasional away game both domestically and abroad, as well as regularly attending matches of Arsenal's Women's team. Oliver has developed strong knowledge and understanding of the beautiful game over the years, and looks to bring that into his writing to maximise the engagement and enjoyment of readers. As well as always being keen and eager to learn and improve his skills.

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