Newcastle United reportedly pulled the plug on a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund teenage sensation Youssoufa Moukoko in the January transfer window.
Speculation surrounding the 18-year-old's future began to heat up just before the end of 2022, when he was about to enter the final six months of his Dortmund deal.
At the start of January, Moukoko was free to begin pre-contract discussions with foreign clubs, and several teams across Europe were understood to have been lining up bids.
Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Barcelona were all linked with moves for the Germany international, who was said to have been stalling over a new Dortmund contract due to his wage demands.
Financial powerhouses Newcastle soon jumped to the head of the queue to sign Moukoko, but the teenager ultimately committed his future to the German giants until 2026.
© Reuters
According to Football Insider, Newcastle had made significant progress in their attempts to bring Moukoko to St James' Park in January, but the Magpies eventually cooled their interest.
The report states that Eddie Howe's side were on the verge of agreeing a fee with Dortmund, and the striker was also keen to link up with the Champions League hopefuls.
However, Newcastle - who already have Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak competing for starts in the number nine spot - ended talks with Dortmund, who successfully tied Moukoko down to a new contract not long after.
Instead, the Magpies secured the signature of Anthony Gordon from Everton for £45m, and Moukoko expressed his delight at staying with BVB, despite being flattered by interest from elsewhere.
"It's no secret that I feel comfortable at BVB. I played in the youth teams, took my first steps in professional football here and now I am ready to take the next step in my development together with the club as well," Moukoko told the club's website.
© Reuters
"I feel the confidence of the coaching staff and I have an environment here where I can develop perfectly. Of course I was honoured by the interest of other clubs, but in the end it is a decision of the heart. The fans have always supported me and I also want to give something back to them and the club."
Having enjoyed a spate of remarkable goalscoring seasons at youth level, Moukoko has since amassed 11 goals and eight assists in 62 games for the senior Dortmund team.
The 18-year-old has six goals and six assists to his name from 25 outings in the 2022-23 season in all tournaments, and his rapid rise earned him a call-up to Germany's squad for the 2022 World Cup.
Newcastle's Champions League hopes were dealt a blow in a 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Saturday, where Wilson's early opener was cancelled out by Lucas Paqueta.
Howe's men remain fourth in the Premier League table, two points behind third-placed Manchester United, and they are next in action away to Bournemouth on February 11.
