Newcastle United have now sent officials into the race to sign the Champions League goalscorer ahead of Aston Villa this summer.
Howe was “very disappointed” with the derby defeat
There are weeks from hell and then there are weeks that Newcastle end up enduring. A 7-2 thrashing at the hands of Barcelona was bad enough, but the Magpies knew they were up against one of the best teams in the world and they knew they had the Tyne-Wear derby to settle matters.
45 minutes in, it looks like they will do just that against Sunderland. Luke O'Nien's pass allowed Anthony Gordon to open the scoring early on and Newcastle were on their way.
The impact of that 7-2 thrashing by Barcelona was quickly felt, however, as a devastated Newcastle were slowly pulled apart by Sunderland – allowing Brian Brobbey to score the winner.
Eddie Howe didn't go back full time. He knew he couldn't go down that road. Instead, all he could do was admit how disappointed he was for the tenth time this season.
The Newcastle boss told reporters: “It's very sad. The most sad thing is for our fans, they're the ones I'm thinking about right now.
“There's little I can use as an excuse, I don't want to go that way – I've never believed in that way, if you haven't played and you know the size of the game and you don't do it.
“He expects criticism and he understands why, so I understand the reaction at the end of the game, we didn't do our job well today.
“Sad” – Alan Shearer's 10-word rant after Newcastle's defeat to Sunderland
He didn't hold back…
“We're very disappointed and I think we have to take it seriously. The only thing we can do is try to come back strong.”
It was another game where Newcastle's tenure was in question and that makes this summer all the more important. The Magpies should get it right.
Newcastle have stepped up in the race to sign Thuram
As reported by Caught Offside, Newcastle are now linked in the race to sign Marcus Thuram from Inter Milan this summer.
Those on Tyneside are trying to hijack a move for Aston Villa for the goalscoring star, who is considering a move away from Italy in search of a fresh start.
Scouts from Newcastle and Aston Villa have reportedly watched the Frenchman in action this season and both have been impressed, as they have been since first contacting him about his signing.
|
Marcus Thuram's career goals |
|
|---|---|
|
Inter Milan |
45 |
|
Borussia Monchengladbach |
44 |
|
EA Guingamp |
17 |
|
FC Sochaux-Montbeliard |
1 |
|
France |
2 |
|
The sum |
109 |
Dubbed “brilliant” by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, the £127,000-a-week forward knows how to score and his partnership with Lautaro Martinez is something Newcastle could replicate on Tyneside.
Getting the best out of Nick Woltemade has not been an easy task this season, but returning him to his natural role alongside someone as experienced as Thuram could crack the code to success.
