According to BBC Newcastle’s Matthew Raisbeck, Newcastle are NOT interested in deals to sign West Brom’s Ahmed Hegazi or Lille midfielder Thiago Maia – also admitting there’s been no ‘significant progress’ in our attempts to sign Salomon Rondon.
Not the most inspiring of transfer updates, but this is where we’re at it seems, with us taking an absolute age to strike what should be a relatively straight forward deal for West Brom’s Rondon.
The Thiago Maia link – which emerged from France this morning – has already been denied by The Chronicle (who state that Rafa ‘rejected’ the chance to sign the Lille midfielder), however Raisbeck is the first to deny our interest in Egyptian international Ahmed Hegazi.
ESPN claimed last night that we were considering a move for the 6ft 4′ centre-back after news of Lejeune’s injury, but the BBC Radio Newcastle reporter insists here that he is NOT a target:
Newcastle are not interested in Lille midfielder Thiago Maia. West Brom centre back Ahmed Hegazi is also not a target – though Rafa Benitez does want to bring in defensive cover before the transfer deadline next Thursday afternoon #NUFC
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) July 31, 2018
Here’s what he’s also had to say on Twitter when asked by a Newcastle fan if there was any news on Rondon:
Doesn’t seem like there’s been any significant progress. We’ll obviously be speaking to Rafa about it after tomorrow’s match
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) July 31, 2018
Frustrating to hear – especially when it seemed like that was the one deal that was edging closer and closer based on yesterday’s reports.
Finally, here’s what he had to say when asked if he thought Rafa would sign the FOUR players he’s believed to be targeting between now and next Thursday’s deadline (a striker, a number 10, a left-back and a centre-back):
Tough one to say, Jamie. Hopefully there’ll be news from Rafa after tomorrow’s match. They had a more productive few days last week with players leaving and Schär and Muto deals being done. Rafa has targets, the club has been trying, but it’s always difficult….
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) July 31, 2018
Hi Matthew , I think these are smoke screens as mike Ashley is all cloak and dagger , there will be 2 more signings in my opinion but none of these . Perez from arsenal at 7 mil is an Ashley deal all day long , so I think the Rondon deal will fall flat and we will get him and I would love drinkwater from Chelsea ??
Alan gibson(Quote)
This has become a farce we wont see a penny of the money for mitro as it stands we are going down and rafa will be off. We are a laughing stock at the moment.
Ger mc cormack(Quote)