Newcastle United news: Why Grant Hanley left Blackburn, Lazio want midfielder

Blackburn boss Owen Coyle admits Newcastle's persistence ultimately paid off in their pursuit of centre-half Grant Hanley.
Grant HanleyGrant Hanley
Grant Hanley

Hanley completed a £5.5million move to St James's Park last week after Blackburn finally accepted a bid for the 24-year-old.

Coyle didn't want to lose the Scottish international, but said a series of offers from the Magpies left the Championship club with little alternative.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Newcastle were very persistent and kept coming back with offer after offer, and Grant told us that he wanted to go, that he wanted that move to Newcastle," he said.

“As a manager, you want players who want to be at your club."

Hanley is one of six players that have joined Newcastle so far this summer, but there are also likely to be further departures.

Flop £13m signing - Florian Thauvin - has today been linked with a move to Italian side Lazio on a season-long loan, with a view to a £9m permanent switch.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, ex-Newcastle defender Aaron Hughes has joined Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters.

Hughes was most recently with Australian side Melbourne City, but has moved to India to link up with ex-Crystal Palace boss Steve Coppell.