Newcastle United’s successful January transfer window has proven to be their springboard for success that now gives the Magpies a nine-point cushion on the relegation zone.
New signings Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Matt Targett and Dan Burn have all played their part and fears about returning to the Championship appear a distant memory. However, it was not just those who arrived that dominated the winter headlines on Tyneside.
Sven Botman, Diego Carlos and Hugo Ekitike were three players the Magpies pursued but failed to get over the line in January. The precarious league position Newcastle found themselves in at the time made it hard to attract all of their top targets but the obstacle of potential relegation will be removed should they try again in the summer.
ChronicleLive profiles how each player has fared since the January window to see whether they would be worth a revisit…
READ MORE: Eddie Howe's view on Newcastle United's task in the final nine matches
Sven Botman
Lille have had a poor defence of their Ligue 1 crown but a difficult start to the campaign coincided with Botman missing six games due to a groin injury. Les Dogues have only lost two games since his return in December, including a 5-1 defeat to PSG - a game Botman scored a consolation goal in.
The Dutchman has been at the heart of the Lille backline for their recent six-game unbeaten stretch. What makes this even more impressive is how they have not conceded a goal throughout the run - clear evidence why he was Newcastle’s top target in the window. Amanda Staveley told the Athletic that Botman remains interested in a move but AC Milan are also poised to sign the defender.
Diego Carlos
Carlos became the plan B once it became evident the Botman deal was off. The Brazilian appeared keen on a Newcastle move but Sevilla president Pepe Castro refused to budge on his £40million asking price.
Julen Lopetegui’s high-fliers have not lost a league game since December and are sitting second in La Liga ahead of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Unfortunately, Carlos picked up a knock in their 2-1 Seville derby victory over Real Betis last month and has been sidelined ever since. It is unclear whether Newcastle will reignite their interest in the 29-year-old this summer, but he won't be short of suitors if Sevilla do make him available for transfer.
Hugo Ekitike
The Magpies had a £25million bid accepted on deadline day for the striker and still could not get him over the line. A last-minute move to a new country was off-putting for the 18-year-old and a late deal broke down.
Ekitike was enjoying a fine breakout season in Ligue 1 and attracted interest from several Premier League clubs after bagging nine goals in the first half of the campaign. However, his form has nosedived since January and the 19-year-old has not scored since his proposed move fell through fell through.
He has missed Reims' last four fixtures with a hamstring injury but, regardless, tasking such an inexperienced player with keeping the club in the Premier League would have been a monumental risk and one Newcastle did not end up taking.
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