Just over a year after Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare turned down a reported £35million move to St James’s Park, reports in Italy claim another English club are attempting to sign the 21-year-old.
While Steve Bruce never directly named the player, it was soon worked out who the United head coach was referring to.
“We had a plane booked to go and meet him, but the boy changed his mind,” Bruce revealed in January 2020. “We thought last weekend we had a chance to bring him in.
“We were more concerned whether or not we could get past the club, but we had the bid accepted.”
Apparently, Soumare FaceTimed former teammate Allan Saint-Maximin to show him the Magpies’ facilities before “politely declining”.
Despite being linked with a number of European clubs since, Soumare has remained with Lille but according to Fabrizio Romano, that could change this summer.
The Italian journalist says Leicester City are planning to open talks with the Frenchman.
The Foxes are one of several clubs to ask the Ligue 1 side for information on Soumare, whose contract expires in June 2022.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are to miss out on Juventus defender Radu Dragusin after deciding to stay in Italy.
The Magpies, alongside Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur, were reportedly interested in signing the Romanian with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
However, according to Gazzetta Dello Sport, the 19-year-old is close to agreeing a new five-year deal with Juve.
Here are the latest transfer headlines from Newcastle and their Premier League rivals:
1. Spurs set sights on Rodgers
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers is the leading candidate to replace Jose Mourinho at Tottenham Hotspur. Mourinho failed to ease the pressure on himself following the 2-1 defeat to West Ham. (Football Insider) Photo: RUI VIEIRA
2. Arsenal identify 'top target'
Arsenal have made Club Brugge midfielder Odilon Kossounou one of their top transfer targets this summer. The Ivory Coast international will cost around £8.5million with performance-related add-ons. (Daily Mirror) Photo: SERGEI SUPINSKY
3. Palace draw up three-man shortlist
Crystal Palace have drawn up a three-man shortlist to replace Roy Hodgson at the end of the campaign, which includes Eddie Howe, Burnley’s Sean Dyche and Swansea City’s Steve Cooper. (Daily Mirror) Photo: Clive Brunskill
4. West Ham face En-Nesyri competition
West Ham could battle AC Milan for Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri this summer. The Hammers showed interest in the Moroccan during the January transfer window. (Il Milanista via Sport Witness) Photo: CRISTINA QUICLER