Newcastle United face an intriguing summer.
At first, of course, they thought they were going to be bankrolled by a genuine billionaire.
Links with new managers like Mauricio Pochettino emerged, as fans believed they would finally be rid of the ownership of Mike Ashley.
The house of cards came tumbling down last week, though, as the Saudi Arabian-backed Public Investment Fund pulled out of the bidding.
They cited delays in the Premier League’s fit and proper ownership test and the uncertainty that had wrought on their bid.
It means the summer transfer window isn’t exactly going to go as fans had expected.
But new signings are needed.
Newcastle finished the season in 13th, 10 points clear of the relegation zone, but they also had a first-choice striker who managed to score just twice in the top-flight all term.
They need reinforcements, then, and The Athletic reports that they are planning to strengthen their strikeforce in the coming transfer window.
There are a number of potential targets, and two Scottish Premiership strikers are said to be interesting the club.
One is Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard, who has been setting fire to the division north of the border.
He scored a hat-trick in the club’s first game of the 2020/21 season on Sunday, having netted 27 goals last term.
He has been tracked for a considerable period of time by the Magpies while there is also interest in his Old Firm rival Alfredo Morelos.
Morelos scored 29 goals last season, while he also provided an assist in Rangers’ 1-0 win over Aberdeen at the weekend.
It could be intriguing to see if either could be signed, however, given their importance to their respective clubs.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
The idea of Newcastle signing Edouard should get fans salivating.
He is a genuinely brilliant forward player, capable of scoring every kind of goal, and has been perhaps the best player in the Scottish Premiership for at least a season.
It helps, of course, that Celtic are so dominant, but he offers a potent blend of technique, pace, and genuinely ferocious shooting ability.
Morelos is perhaps a little less exciting – he’s two years older than Edouard at 24 – but he too is a solid, reliable presence up top when it comes to finishing the chances he is given.
Rangers and Celtic would surely fight tooth and nail to keep their biggest stars but few can blame Newcastle for trying.
They have considerably more resources than both Scottish clubs even under the ownership of Ashley, and a deal could well be achieved.
The least they can do is ask.