Seko Fofana has ruled out a £25 million January move to Premier League strugglers Newcastle United, telling Amazon Prime that he is ‘too happy’ at Ligue 1 surprise packages Lens.
Newcastle’s pursuit of a buccaneering, box-to-box midfielder goes on.
And if Fofana seemed like a glint of light at the end of a long, dark tunnel, that shred of hope appears to have been extinguished with the winter transfer window just a fortnight away.
FootMercato reported last month that the £25 million-rated Fofana was a target for Eddie Howe’s Magpies, plus Serie A challengers Atalanta and AC Milan.
A former Manchester City and Fulham youngster, the 26-year-old Ivory Coast international has blossomed on the other side of the Atlantic, justifying comparisons with Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira.
Just look at the way he ripped through Paris Saint-Germain’s midfield recently, smashing football’s Faberge Egg into a million tiny pieces.
Fofana dominated Marco Verratti, Danilo Pereira and Leandro Paredes during a 1-1 draw at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, producing the kind of all-action performance that looks a million miles beyond Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden.
Lens are sixth in the Ligue 1 table, just five points off Marseille in second. And Fofana obviously feels that there are a few chapters left in his Sang et Or story.
Who will Newcastle United sign January?
“Frankly, I’m too happy,” Fofana said, explaining why he will be staying put in the New Year.
“The harmony there is in this team, I’m afraid I won’t find it again if I leave Lens. What if I never experienced this (again) elsewhere? That’s it. I’ve never known a team like this.”
They have also been linked, at some point or another, with Soualiho Meite and Agibou Camara, amongst others.
Reports have even linked PSG’s Gini Wijnaldum with a shock return to St James’ Park.
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