NEWCASTLE winger Allan Saint-Maximin tried to persuade Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare to join the club by showing the training facilities on FaceTime.
According to L’Equipe, Saint-Maximin was trying to tempt the 20-year-old with a move to England, but the Frenchman decided to stay at Lille.
Lille star Boubakary Soumare opted against a move to Newcastle – despite a FaceTime call from Allan Saint-MaximinCredit: EPA
Steve Bruce revealed they were close to smashing their transfer record, but Soumare turned them down.
Joelinton cost the club £40million in the summer and Bruce was hoping to conclude a deal for the Lille star.
Newcastle fans were left bemused as to why Saint-Maximin would show off the training facilities with one fan tweeting: “Why would you even think about ‘showing off’ the clubs training facilities?!
“Surely, surely, the only place to FaceTime is St James’ Park?!”
Bruce said: “We had a bid accepted that would have been near enough a club record but the player didn’t want to come.
“We got past the club but unfortunately the player wanted to stay where he was.
“We couldn’t get it over the line and that was a big disappointment.”
Despite not getting a deal for Soumare over the line, Bruce was able to complete the signing of Danny Rose on loan from Tottenham until the end of the season.
Rose made his debut yesterday, coming on as a second half sub during the 0-0 draw with Norwich at St James’ Park.
The left-back could make his first start for the club in the FA Cup replay at Oxford United on Tuesday.
Yesterday’s draw pushed Newcastle up to 12th after Southampton’s 4-0 defeat at Liverpool, although they have goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to thank for preventing Norwich from breaking the deadlock.
The final whistle prompted boos from the home supporters after a fifth draw in seven games in all competitions.
The result keeps them only four points off Wolves in seventh.
Danny Rose finally seals Tottenham transfer exit with Newcastle loan deal for six months
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
