Patience is a virtue as far as Newcastle United's transfer business is concerned.
Meticulous and measured - but attentively persistent - is how Toon chiefs have operated since sending Mike Ashley on his way. Exactly one year ago, Sven Botman emerged as the club’s number one transfer target to shore up a leaky defence.
A precarious league position scuppered the deal but, once the threat of relegation was gone, the Dutchman arrived for £32million. Newcastle staved off interest from AC Milan after refusing to cough up extra cash to get the deal done sooner.
In a similar fashion, the Magpies laughed off Everton’s £60million valuation of Anthony Gordon last summer. ChronicleLive reported at the time how Newcastle and Chelsea were expressing interest but hefty demands scuppered any deal.
Fast forward six months and Gordon has left the sinking ship at Goodison Park to join the Saudi-backed revolution on Tyneside - for £15million less than Everton’s original asking price. Take a look at the James Maddison situation and you will experience a heavy dose of deja vu.
Newcastle also met firm resistance when trying to prise the Foxes’ talisman away in the summer. Brendan Rodgers quipped how £45million would only buy three-quarters of Maddison’s left leg - but the situation has changed.
The Magpies remain keen on the 26-year-old who, despite Leicester’s struggles, is enjoying a fine Premier League campaign, but are aware of his valuation plummeting in a few months. Reports suggest the Foxes would sell their star player for around £55million this month.
But his contract expires at the end of the season and Toon chiefs know Leicester will be forced to reduce their asking price or risk losing him for nothing. Like Gordon and Botman, the Magpies know the long-term repercussions of caving in to rival clubs’ demands.
The new regime have made a conscious effort not to set a precedent of reckless spending. Do not be surprised if they bide their time and sign another highly-coveted target once the price is right.
READ NEXT
- Wembley hotels inundated, Howe's Sir Bobby Robson moment and Pope record
- Adam Armstrong gives Southampton verdict after Newcastle left Saints rattled
- Eddie Howe's Newcastle United semi-final warning after 'delicate' first leg
- Bruno Guimaraes sends dressing room message as Newcastle United eye Wembley
- Newcastle United revamp their scouting network as Dan Ashworth masterplan takes shape
