If there was still doubters, it now seems safe to say that Newcastle United enjoyed one of the best transfers window out of any Premier League side this past summer.
Much of that comes down to one man, Nick Woltemade, who, after scoring his maiden goal for Germany on Monday night, is slowly starting to win over neutrals and pundits alike as one of the top strikers in the division.
But it all could have been so very different (and worse) for us had we pursued another one of our summer striker targets, or even stuck to our guns and kept the want-away Alexander Isak.
In fact, one of our top striker targets has been named in a poll by agents’ as the worst deal completed over the summer, and it would be hard to argue against their thoughts…
Sesko switch slated by agents
In a survey from The Athletic involving 20 unnamed football agents, six voted Benjamin Sesko’s £73m move to Man Utd as the worst deal of the summer window.
The Slovenian, who personally opted for Old Trafford despite us offering more money to RB Leipzig for his services, has yet to really get going in the Premier League.
Goals against Brentford and Sunderland remain his only goals scored, as he looks to be the latest casualty in Ruben Amorim’s system.
Manchester United loss was of course our gain, as Woltemade excels as both the creative and goalscoring focal point of our team. Who knows just how much better he could get once Yoane Wissa starts alongside him.
The agents’ comments on Sesko’s slow start make for brutal reading: “Way too much money and much too soon,” said one agent. “A lot of money for not much of a pedigree,” was the view of another.
And there’s not much sympathy towards the Red Devils over the saga. “They were pressurised into making that signing,” commented another agent, hinting that the prospect of us signing one of the few available strikers on the market spurred Jim Ratcliffe into action.
Wissa mention and three votes for Trafford
Speaking of the aforementioned Wissa, he has perhaps harshly been included on the list of worst signings, earning one vote.
With the benefit of hindsight, £55m was overpaying for the forward, but no one could have predicted that a player with an otherwise fantastic injury record would almost immediately be ruled out for two months with a knee injury.
The comment from the agent who voted for Wissa reads: “A lot of money for a 29-year-old who was way down the preference list”
Sesko isn’t the only former Toon target on the list, however, as following him in 2nd place is none other than James Trafford, who gained three votes.
The former City academy graduate re-joined Pep Guardiola’s side after they triggered a clause which allowed them to match our bid for the player and given priority over the transfer.
But the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma shortly after put a tremendous dent in any hopes Trafford may have had of becoming not only City’s no.1, but the England no.1 in time for the World Cup.
There’s nothing harsh about Wissa making the list, he should probably be top. He’s right up there with Michael Owen in my eyes at this point, any chance we can return him for a refund? Even a partial refund?
By the time he’s getting match fit he’ll f*** off to AFCON, where he’ll probably pick up another injury due to his lack of fitness. He did this to himself and, despite the Isak situation, the club made hypocrites of themselves and went and signed him, and for far too much money.
Much as it pains me to say it, both the club and the player deserve what’s happened. At his age, who’s to say he’s ever the same player again after this? We all saw the toll Wilson’s injuries took on him towards the end.
Ian(Quote)
Desperation was the reason we signed Wissa for far too much money, he tried to force his way out a bit like Gordon, the difference was Gordon had age on his side.
Personally I believe clubs should hold on to a players contract in situations like this and let them rot in the reserves.
Joseph(Quote)
Couldn’t agree more, players should be made to suffer the consequences of their unprofessional actions. I didn’t like it one bit when Gordon did it and I’ve always had doubts about his character as a result, the same now applies to Wissa.
Ian(Quote)
I don’t like signing 1st team players who currently represent countries from Africa. As they will be off to Afcon. That can leave a major void in your team and they is nothing you can do about it. I don’t understand why they don’t move the Afcon to the summer.
Wolfie(Quote)