Sampdoria defender Omar Colley has turned down a move to Premier League strugglers Newcastle United, according to Genoa-based publication La Voce Tigullio.
Following a fifth successive defeat at home to Leeds in midweek, Steve Bruce might have hoped that a new face or two before Monday’s deadline would give his underperforming squad the boost they so badly need.
But after failing to get Brandon Williams out of Old Trafford, missing out to AC Milan for Soualiho Meite and seeing a deal for PSV’s Chris Gloster fall through, a frustrating transfer window is unlikely to have a happy ending.
Tuttomercatoweb reported on Monday that Newcastle had opened talks with 6ft 3ins Gambia international Colley; a sturdy and combative centre-half who blossomed into Serie A’s best during the 2019/20 season.
But, after signing a new contract with Sampdoria two weeks ago, Colley has given Newcastle the cold shoulder.
La Voce reports that the £7 million-rated former Genk ace has turned down not only the Tyneside giants but also a Fenerbahce side who have already snapped up Mesut Ozil and Bright Osayi-Samuel this month.
Then again, why Newcastle attempted to bring in another central defender in the first place is a question without an obvious answer.
Steve Bruce might have 99 problems at St James’ Park but the lack of reliable centre-halves is not one of them.
He already has Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark to choose from, with Newcastle’s major issues lying at the other end of the pitch.
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