Man Utd picked by Newcastle's 'top target' even after Eddie Howe's £32m guarantee

Manchester United's summer recruit, Matheus Cunha, picked the Red Devils over Newcastle despite the Magpies having Champions League football this season, while Ruben Amorim's men are going without. Newcastle were heavily interested in bringing the tricky Wolves forward to the North East off the back of his impressive performances last year.

Alongside the added incentive of being able to line up alongside his compatriots, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, the Brazilian was also said to be on the hunt for Champions League football at his next club, something Newcastle were able to provide.

However, afterqualifying on the final day of the campaign, which is set to guarantee the club £32million, Newcastle were rebuffed by the 26-year-old, despite being told a deal to secure Cunha hinged on European participation.

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Cunha stunned Toon officials by picking United instead. United wrapped up the deal for £62.5m despite Amorim's team finishing 15th last season and missing out on Europe after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

Reports suggested that the Red Devils were able to offer higher wages to Cunha, while the player himself later claimed United were indeed the team he supported as a youngster.

"It is hard to put into words my feelings about becoming a Manchester United player," he said after his signing was confirmed. "Ever since I was a child in Brazil watching Premier League games on TV at my grandmother’s house, United was my favourite English team and I dreamed of wearing the red shirt. I want to thank my family and everyone who has helped me make that dream a reality."

The overall maximum prize money for a participant in the Champions League is £137m, with Newcastle at least guaranteed £32m, meaning the Magpies were expecting a thrilling summer of deals. Yet Newcastle's transfer activity has been middling at best so far.

Despite signingAnthony Elanga for £55m from Nottingahm Forest and securing Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan, Howe has seen a series of top targets elect to play their football elsewhere for this upcoming season. While Cunha headed to Manchester, another target, in the form of French striker Hugo Ekitike,joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, who was eyed by Howe, later signed for Manchester City. Both Ipswich's Liam Delap and Brighton's Joao Pedro, who were fancied by Newcastle, then joined Chelsea, while former Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo also chose United over Newcastle.

A move for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko is currently in the works, with Newcastle having had a £65.5m offer, with 4m in add-ons, rejected for the player. Fears are now rife at St James' Park that United will swoop in and steal the towering Slovenian forward, with Amorim holding a firm interest in the striker. If that were to happen, Sesko would be the third player this window to pick United over Newcastle.

Matters have been compounded for Newcastle this summer after Liverpool lodged a £110m offer for superstar striker Alexander Isak. The Swedish star has made it clear he wishes to explore opportunities away from St James' Park but the club are determined to fight to keep him.

Speaking about the situation, Howe said: "I think from my situation, I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home.

"I was made aware there was a bid yesterday. That bid was turned down before I heard about it. There are people back in England dealing with the situation. I really don’t know what is going to happen next, but from our perspective, we still support Alex in every way, and my wish is still that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again."

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