Newcastle United have done some great business in the January transfer window.
The Magpies got the Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood deals over the line early on in the month.
A lull then followed, but Newcastle then signed three more players in the last two days.
The Magpies first landed Bruno Guimaraes, then Matt Targett and Dan Burn arrived on deadline day.
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There was certainly scope for Newcastle to bring in another couple of players, however.
The Magpies apparently tried to sign another centre-back and another forward.
Mohammed Salisu was one of those Newcastle seemingly came close to bringing to St James’ Park.
According to 90Min, the Magpies were in talks with Southampton over a £40m move for their defender.
However, the Saints’ change of ownership led to Newcastle missing out on the 6ft 3in powerhouse.
Serbian billionaire Dragan Solak fronted a takeover at St Mary’s on 5 January.
90Min claims one of Solak’s first orders of business was to make a decision on Salisu’s proposed exit.
And the new owners reportedly ‘wasted little time in cancelling the transfer’.
They identified 22-year-old as a key part of both the present and future of the club, claimed the report.
Nonetheless, Newcastle could well launch a summer swoop for Salisu.
He’s reportedly still on the Magpies’ wishlist for the next transfer window.
And if Newcastle can land him, they’d have a top defender on their hands.
“He just blocked everything”
Salisu has been one of Southampton’s key players this season, standing out as one of their top performers.
The Ghana international was reportedly on the radar of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Manchester United in the past.
Fran Castano, Salisu’s coach back in Accra, is quoted by 90Min as saying: “I think he will be one of the best centre-backs of African football.
“And if everything goes well he could play in one of the 10 best teams in the world.”
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has also praised Salisu on several occasions.
In November last year, the Toon icon named the Saints man in his Premier League Team of the Week after a 1-0 win over Aston Villa.
“Another impressive display from Southampton’s centre-back, who has been a revelation this season,” wrote Shearer.
“He made some crucial challenges and interceptions in the 1-0 home victory over Aston Villa.”
And in January, Shearer picked Salisu after he helped his team draw 1-1 with Manchester City.
“Man of the match as Southampton stopped the leaders’ long winning run,” he wrote. “He just blocked everything.”
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