Robin Gosens has rejected a £55,000-a-week move to Premier League strugglers Newcastle United in favour of Serie A champions Inter Milan, the Italy international’s agent tells Calciomercato.
They do say that money isn’t everything.
Newcastle United are certainly finding that out the hard way. Three quarters of the transfer window are gone and the Tynesiders have still only signed two new players – Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid and Chris Wood from Burnley.
Though hardly for a lack of trying.
Despite the undoubted riches on offer at St James’ Park, convincing their top targets to join a club who have tasted victory in just two of 21 Premier League games is proving to be easier said than done.
Why is Robin Gosens not joining Newcastle United?
“It’s not done yet, there are still some details to be sorted out. We’ll see,” explains Paolo Busardo, the agent working on behalf of Gosens.
“I don’t know if (his move to the San Siro) will be finalised by tonight.”
Gosens, who blossomed into one of Europe’s most exciting full-backs in a famously free-wheeling Atalanta side, is set to join Simone Inzaghi’s Inter in a loan-to-buy deal worth a cool £21 million.
Perhaps the most worrying aspect, as far as Newcastle supporters are concerned, is that Gosens has accepted a lower offer to stay in Italy.
Newcastle were willing to hand him £55,000-a-week. At Inter, however, he will earn ‘just’ £40,000-a-week (Football Italia).
“Because it’s Inter,” Busardo adds when pressed on why his client turned down Newcastle. “We hope it can be the right solution for him.”
Newcastle also failed with bids for Reims striker Hugo Ekitike and Sevilla defender Diego Carlos.
Freiburg’s Nico Schlotterbeck and PSG’s Gini Wijnaldum didn’t give much thought to joining Eddie Howe on Tyneside either.
Yes, money certainly isn’t everything. Not when you’ve got the threat of relegation hanging over your head.
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