Newcastle United are believed to have turned down the chance to sign Brazil international, Renan Lodi, according to recent reports.

What's the word?

According to The Athletic, Magpies boss Eddie Howe opted against making a move for the 24-year-old in the summer window, with the player having subsequently made a move to newly-promoted Nottingham Forest.

The report suggests that the Tynesiders had been keeping tabs on the former Atletico Madrid man as a potential 'more offensive-minded' left-back, although the potential fee and fears over the defender's ability to quickly adapt to English football saw them shun the switch.

The northeast side instead opted to secure the permanent capture of Matt Targett on a £15m deal from Aston Villa, following the Englishman's impressive loan spell at the club last summer.

"Fantastic coup"

There will no doubt be Newcastle supporters scratching their heads at the decision not to sign Lodi prior to his recent move to The City Ground, with the 15-cap gem having likely been a real quality addition at St James' Park.

While the £27m-rated sensation endured a tough start to life at Forest as his new side shipped six away at champions Manchester City in midweek, the feeling is that the 5 foot 8 gem represents a "fantastic coup" for Steve Cooper and co - in the words of journalist Josh Bunting - such is his undoubted talent.

An attacking and forward-thinking full-back, the £64k-per-week ace notably compares favourably to those in his position across Europe's top five leagues, ranking in the top 3% for progressive passes received and the top 7% for touches in the attacking penalty area.

The aforementioned Targett, by contrast, ranks in just the bottom 26% and bottom 24% for the same two metrics respectively, with the one-time Southampton man failing to offer the same thrust in an attacking sense.

That is also evidenced by the fact that the current Magpies man has failed to register a single goal or assist in 20 appearances for the club to date, while Lodi notably scored four goals and provided five assists in all competitions in Spain last term - albeit while typically deployed at wing-back under Diego Simeone.

Equally, Eddie Howe could well have benefitted from having both men in his squad, with the current alternatives to Targett only Jamal Lewis - who has been heavily linked with an exit - and the long-serving Paul Dummett.

As it is, the former Bournemouth boss could well be forced to watch Lodi thrive at his current side this season, with it potentially set to prove a real missed opportunity for a player who could well have been a 'fantastic coup'.