Porto striker Mehdi Taremi has revealed that he received an offer from Newcastle last summer – but rejected it because he wanted to play in the Champions League.
Eddie Howe was very keen to bring in a new goalscorer at the start of last season and, prior to the signing of Alexander Isak, it seems we had our eyes on the Iranian.
The 30-year-old has spent the last three seasons playing for the Portuguese club, where he has score 80 goals in 147 games and won the division in 2022.
When asked about why he rejected the Magpies, Taremi explained how he “didn’t think they could qualify to the UCL after their bad season” and preferred to stay at Porto.
He also revealed his desire to play against clubs like AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Liverpool – which is ironic now our 4th-placed finish has left the latter in the Europa League.
Speaking to Record about our offer, Taremi said:
“I have had an offer from Newcastle last summer, but I rejected their offer because we were at Champions League and I could play against teams like Liverpool, AC Milan and Atlético Madrid.
“I preferred to stay at Porto because Newcastle were fighting to remain at the Premier League and I didn’t think they could qualify to the UCL after their bad season.”
Providing he’s not telling fibs, I’m glad he said no when we ended signing Alexander Isak that very summer!
