How Newcastle could line up next season after takeover collapse with Mbappe dream over, Longstaffs gone and Cantwell in
NEWCASTLE fans' dreams of seeing Kylian Mbappe up front next season have being shattered.
In a devastating blow to restore the Magpies to former glories, the £300m takeover by the Saudi-led consortium fell through.
They blamed the prolonged process and the current circumstances relating to coronavirus to it being axed.
And so instead of Mbappe leading the line it might once again be two-goal, £40million flop striker Joelinton.
Instead of John McGinn marshalling the midfield, it might be Nabil Benataleb.
And the Geordies could even lose some of their better players, with Allen Saint-Maximim looking like attracting the most interest.
Brothers Sean and Matty Longstaff have also impressed in the middle of the park.
Sean has previously being linked with Manchester United, while younger brother Matty is attracting interest from Udinese.
Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka may even choose to test himself in some form of European competition after some stellar seasons between the sticks.
But it might not be all doom and gloom and player sales.
Norwich's Todd Cantwell, heralded as a hot prospect himself, and Manchester United's England international Jesse Lingard have been linked with moves to St James' Park.
And on-loan Tottenham full-back Danny Rose could agree to extend his stay in the North East.
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If Dubravka seeks a transfer, there's always Joe Hart available, who will be desperate for another Premier League lifeline.
But Newcastle fans will have to park their hopes of seeing an all-star XI for a while longer after the takeover collapse.
Mike Ashley remains at the helm - as not for the first time plans for his exit have hit the buffers.