The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder has denied claims that Newcastle have made a move for Lille midfielder Thiago Maia – despite claims last night from France that a loan offer had been submitted.
The highly-rated Brazilian has been linked with a move to Newcastle on several occasions so far this summer and was mooted as a potential replacement for Mikel Merino at one stage, however claims that we’ve made an official offer appear to be wide of the mark.
Here’s what Lee Ryder’s had to say today after claims from LeSport10 that we’d made a move to sign him on loan with an option to buy:
There has been no loan bid at this stage for Lille's Thiago Maia despite reports. #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) July 9, 2018
“Despite reports from France, there has been no loan offer for Brazilian defensive midfield man Thiago Maia at this stage.
“Benitez’s priority is currently a striker and with new boy Ki Sung-yueng ready to battle for a place alongside Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden and Mo Diame, United aren’t short on midfield options.”
As you’d expect, it looks like Rafa’s focusing on signing a striker instead – which makes sense really given we already appear to have replaced Mikel Merino with Ki Sung-Yueng.
