Newcastle United bought Anthony Elanga this summer, but he was not the only winger who the Magpies looked at.
At the start of the transfer window, Bryan Mbeumo was Newcastle United’s top target. He ended up joining Manchester United instead, with financial shortcomings stopping the Magpies from striking a deal.
That forced the Newcastle United recruitment team to look elsewhere, with Anthony Elanga joining for £55million from Nottingham Forest. After initially struggling, Elanga’s performance against Everton suggests that he has turned the corner.
That will be the hope, as there were plenty of other top stars that Newcastle considered buying. Antoine Semenyo was a target, as was Mohammed Kudus. He would join Tottenham Hotspur from West Ham for £55million, and has been a bright spark in a poor Spurs team.
If you could add one Spurs player to the Newcastle United squad, who would you pick?
I’d go Mohammed Kudus, give us yours in the comments!
Warren Barton thought Newcastle United would bid for Mohammed Kudus
But would he have fitted in at Newcastle United?
That is certainly the view of former Toon defender Warren Barton, who has told the NUFC360 YouTube channel that he thought Newcastle United were going to make a move for Kudus during the summer.
“I wouldn’t rush into anything now and buy,” he said when asked if he would like to see Newcastle buy anyone in January.
“I like Kudus who went from West Ham. He was one I liked.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
“I thought he would maybe be a player that we would go for, but obviously he’s gone to Tottenham. He’s not going to move.”
Kudus has outperformed Elanga so far this season, with the latter only just getting his first official assist during Saturday’s 4-1 win over Everton.
Warren Barton says Newcastle United do not need to be busy in January
With the January transfer window looming, it has been reported that Newcastle United want a centre-midfielder and a full-back.
They are the two priority positions, with Newcastle very keen to sign Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar.
If Newcastle United were to make ONE signing in January? Who would you hope it is? Comment below
However, Barton is not of the belief that the Magpies need to be active when the transfer window swings open again.
“I’m not desperate to go into the market,” he said.
“I know you always feel you’ve got to go and strengthen. The three in midfield are as good as anything when fit.”
Barton added: “Yes, you always want to buy, but the real ones you really want, like when he waited for Botman, have normally been in the summer.”