Newcastle United have missed out on Johan Manzambi and Victor Munoz this summer, but the club are targeting players who are "desperate" to join.

Victor Munoz and Johan Manzambi have been part of the Spain and Switzerland squads respectively at the World Cup Had the club got their way, Johan Manzambi, Victor Munoz and Hugo Ekitike would all be wearing black and white by now. But these players, and a handful of other top targets, have looked elsewhere in the past 12 months. Manzambi has his sights set on a move to Aston Villa, who, unlike Newcastle, can offer Champions League football. Ekitike and Munoz went to Liverpool. Benjamin Sesko joined Manchester United. Joao Pedro chose Chelsea. James Trafford, who remains on Newcastle's radar, ended up at Manchester City. Clubs lose out on targets - it is the nature of the beast - but Newcastle have been dealt their fair share of setbacks in the transfer market. Although there is still plenty of time left in this current window, they clearly have work to do. After Liverpool signed Munoz, Newcastle discreetly pivoted to winger Bazoumana Toure, who completed a £43m move from Hoffenheim.