Newcastle ‘dodged a bullet’ as ‘incredibly average’ player turns down transfer

Jeff Stelling believes Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s decision to turn down Newcastle is a blessing in disguise for the club.

The Magpies had made an approach to Marseille for Hojbjerg as they sought to replace Bruno Guimaraes, who completed a switch to Arsenal on Saturday.

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Despite Newcastle possessing the funds to meet Marseille’s valuation of the midfielder, Hojbjerg chose to remain with the French club.

Yet Stelling believes the Magpies have ‘dodged a bullet’.

What was Jeff Stelling’s verdict on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg?

“I know they wanted experience, he’s 31 and he’s done well at Marseille,” Stelling said on talkSPORT Breakfast.

“But his last season at Tottenham, he made eight Premier League starts and didn’t play successive Premier League games at all.

“I think he’s incredibly average.”

Co-host Gabby Agbonlahor was equally critical of Hojbjerg and questioned if he would have been the ‘fighter’ Newcastle needed to help galvanise the squad following Guimaraes’ exit.

What was Gabby Agbonlahor’s verdict on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg?

“A strange option,” Agbonlahor said.

“When I watched him, you saw he had a bit of an ego, didn’t he?

“Is he going to come to Newcastle and really be the player that you want, the character you want, the fighter that wants to be at the football club?

“I think it was a strange player to go for.”

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With Hojbjerg off the table, Newcastle could turn to Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha to fill the void left by Guimaraes.

The 31-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Tottenham, has been put up for sale by the German giants just two years after he joined.

talkSPORT understands Palhinha is on Newcastle’s radar, but they face stiff competition for his signature from Premier League rivals Aston Villa.

Which other players have Newcastle missed out on this summer?

It is understood the Villans are advancing in a deal for Palhinha, with their director of football Damian Vidagany previously confirming the clubs were in discussions over the transfer.

And if Villa were to sign the former Fulham ace, Agbonlahor felt those connected to Newcastle will be cursing their luck yet again.

The Magpies have already lost out to Villa once before this window as they swooped in to snap up Johan Manzambi for a club record deal.

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And earlier in the window, Newcastle were beaten to the punch by Liverpool for Spain international Victor Munoz.

“It’s getting a bit frustrating, isn’t it?” Agbonlahor said.

“If you’re involved at Newcastle as a fan or working at the football club, missing out on all these players.”