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Newcastle miss out on ‘absolutely colossal’ £36.5m PL star, PIF made contact after takeover

Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Wesley Fofana signs a new contract with Leicester City at King Power Stadium, Leicester on March 7, 2022 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images

Newcastle United seemingly won’t be signing Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana any time soon after he signed a new deal at the King Power Stadium.

When the Magpies were taken over in October, it seemed like every player under the sun was being linked with a move to Tyneside.

One of those players was Fofana, who was being linked with a shock move to Newcastle.

RMC Sport reported just days after the takeover that Newcastle had made first contact with Fofana’s representatives in an effort to thrash out a deal.

That seemed strange given that Leicester had paid £36.5million for Fofana in 2020 and would expect even more, plus Fofana is out this season with a major knee injury.

Still, having been branded ‘absolutely colossal’ by Brendan Rodgers, interest in Fofana was always going to come at some point.

Newcastle may have been eyeing up Fofana for a summer move if they stay in the Premier League, but their hopes have been dashed.

Fofana has now signed a new contract with Leicester until 2027, tying his future to the Foxes for the next five years.

Of course, Leicester could cash in before then, but any fee for Fofana would have to be huge – especially to a Premier League rival.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Wesley Fofana of Leicester City during the Pre Season Friendly fixture between Leicester City and Villarreal at The King Power Stadium on August 4, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

Fofana’s focus will now be on making his comeback from injury in the hope of showing his immense quality once again.

At just 21, Fofana seems to have the world at his feet and has already shown that he can be a Premier League star.

Newcastle will now have to go back to the drawing board in search of a new defender, with a young, quick and promising defender wanted alongside Dan Burn for the long term.

Fofana ticked all of those boxes, but Leicester have moved to block Newcastle by securing that new contract well in advance of the summer window.

Leicester City's French defender Wesley Fofana (L) vies with Newcastle United's English striker Callum Wilson (R) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on January 3, 2021. (Photo by Michael Regan / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /  (Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by MICHAEL REGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images