“Newcastle was very close" - Agent confirms club just missed out on £34m deal

It's been a tough January transfer window so far, with incomings appearing increasingly unlikely as we edge towards the February 3rd deadline.

Outgoings seem to be the focus, but we've also seen a few targets sign elsewhere, with former Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov ending up at Man City after serious interest from Newcastle.

New details have come to light regarding the defender's £34m move to Man City - and it makes frustrating reading for Newcastle United fans.

Newcastle "very close" to January deal

According to Gairat Khasbiullin, the player's agent, Newcastle were "very close" to agreeing a deal for the Uzbekistan international before he sealed a January move to the Etihad.

Speaking to Championat, Khasbiullin hints that PSR was a factor in Newcastle's failed pursuit, saying 'financial fair play had an impact', but he also hints that we took too long to make an offer for the 20-year-old.

“Newcastle was very close to the deal. They even remained one of the favourites, and then was the last to leave the race with City," he said.

“As far as I understand, financial fair play also had an impact. Well, they didn’t have enough time. Perhaps if they had made an offer earlier, they would have had time to come to an agreement.

“Then City put so much pressure on Lens that it was difficult to make a comparable offer. It was also influenced by the fact that the French needed this money.”

After bidding £60m+ for Marc Guehi in August and signing no one since, it would sum up PSR if financial rules stopped us making an earlier bid for Khusanov; who has ended up at a club with 115 charges to contend with.

Man City set to sign another Toon target

If missing out on Khusanov to Man City wasn't enough, it seems another of our centre-back targets is all set to join the Champions instead.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Juma Bah is due to sign for Pep Guardiola's side, who plan to send the giant Sierra Leone star to Lens on loan.

This comes after The Athletic reported earlier this month that Newcastle were taking a close look at Bah following his impressive loan spell with La Liga side Real Valladolid.

His switch to Man City could be complicated, however, as Real Valladolid have released a statement accusing City of tapping up the 18-year-old.