Newcastle United opted against signing Lucas Paqueta this summer despite knowing they had a free hit at the Brazil international.
Even from the opening days of the window, Eddie Howe had his eye on other stars and significantly other positions. And while Newcastle were well aware of his friendship with Bruno Guimaraes it was ironically the Toon star's presence that meant they sat back on the chance to sign his old Lyon team-mate.
For while Paqueta and Bruno have played together for Brazil and Lyon, Howe and his backroom team felt that Bruno is more than capable of performing in any of the roles Lucas can. Combined with a decision to give Sean Longstaff a new deal, an imminent extension for Jonjo Shelvey once he's played three matches and Joe Willock's energy and flair, Newcastle felt that money needed to be spent in other areas.
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Paqueta will now play against Newcastle next month after agreeing a £51million deal to join West Ham. Some Newcastle fans may argue that Lucas plays in the attacking midfield area - a job he's done for Lyon 85 times and scored 20 goals in the process - but before Shelvey was injured the plan was to push Bruno further up the field, something he is keen to do himself.
For now, Bruno will cover the defensive midfield spot that Shelvey left free and the dream combination many supporters hoped for will remain in the realms of fantasy football.
Eddie Howe's key role in transfers at Newcastle
Howe thanked the "transfer committee" after completing the mega deal for Aleksander Isak this week and it's fair to say that sporting director Dan Ashworth and the club's co-owners have all discussed the best options for the squad this summer. The signing came swiftly on the back of Yasir Al-Rumayyan's visit to Tyneside for the 3-3 draw.
But having signed a new long-term contract, which note book reported will take Howe into his 50s in the last edition, the former AFC Bournemouth man has a similar "final say" card to play on transfers as Rafa Benitez did under Mike Ashley. Although, it has to be said that transfer discussions have been much more cordial for Howe than the former Liverpool boss.
Howe and his staff have presented their wish-list throughout the summer to either Amanda Staveley and the board and additionally more lately to Ashworth. And then the sporting director, along with head scout Steve Nickson, jetted off to get the deal for Isak done.
Howe stated to the Press in the summer in Austria that he would not be taking a step back from transfers after leading the chase for deals like Bruno and Kieran Trippier last January. His board have been as good as their word in getting him what's required.
Deadline day will result in some goodbyes - or some disappointing news
United's squad was already oversubscribed before Isak's arrival but there are four more players than the rota has room for ahead of the deadline for the 25-man squad. Howe has kept his cards closely to his chest on who will be leaving and has given many squad members every encouragement to fight for their place.
Howe played down talk that he might leave injured Shelvey off the list last week but it remains to be seen whether Emil Krafth will be registered ahead of the 13 Premier League matches that take place before the next window in January. Krafth was injured at Tranmere in the League Cup win last week.
Martin Dubravka could free up some space if he ends up at Manchester United while Howe himself stated that Matty Longstaff need to and play somewhere in July. Javier Manquillo and Federico Fernandez have also barely featured this summer.
Howe moved Ciaran Clark, Dwight Gayle, Isaac Hayden and Jeff Hendrick on earlier in the summer.
