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:
5. Liverpool consider Ocampos exchange deal
Liverpool could offer Takumi Minamino in an exchange deal for Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos. Reports suggest there is a £56million release clause in Ocampos’ contract, while Minamino is believed to be valued at around £10million. (La Razon via Daily Star) Photo: Fran Santiago
6. Belief Bielsa will stay
There is a growing belief Marcelo Bielsa will stay at Leeds United for next season after holding talks with director of football Victor Orta over how to “redraw and refresh” the playing squad this summer. (The Athletic) Photo: Pool
7. Leicester eye ex-NUFC target
Leicester City are planning to open talks with former Newcastle United target Boubakary Soumare. The 21-year-old rejected a move to St James’s Park in January 2020. (Fabrizio Romano) Photo: ROMAIN LAFABREGUE
8. Robert to train with Celtic
Thomas Robert, the son of former Newcastle winger Laurent Robert, is set to be offered the chance to train with Celtic as the Hoops and Aberdeen show interest in signing the Airdrie ace. (Daily Record) Photo: Mark Runnacles