Newcastle United were reportedly interested in signing Daniel Ayala from Middlesbrough in the summer transfer window.
Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala has told GazetteLive that he did not think about leaving the club in the summer transfer window.
The former Liverpool centre-back was linked with a move away from Middlesbrough in the summer.
The Daily Mail reported in June that Newcastle United had made made enquiries for the 25-year-old.
It was reported that Boro valued the former Norwich City defender at £15 million, and that the Magpies had been put off by that price.
The Spanish centre-back committed his long-term future to Middlesbrough by signing a new contract in August which will see him remain at the Riverside Stadium until 2020, as announced on the club’s official website.
Ayala has revealed that other clubs did make contact in the summer transfer window, but the 25-year-old has made it clear that he did not want to leave Boro.
“I never thought about leaving Middlesbrough so I was hoping the new contract would come and I’m glad it did,” Ayala told GazetteLive. “I happy to sign for four more years.
“There was a lot of speculation about me. I was aware of clubs contacting about me but my main focus was to stay in the Premier League with Middlesbrough.
“I have been here for three years and I have fought a lot to be in the Premier League – I was never looking to go back down to the Championship or even to play for another club in the Premier League.
“That would have just been the same (level) with Middlesbrough – so it never crossed my mind to leave.”
Ayala was one of the best defenders in the Championship last season and is a key member of the current Middlesborough team.
Retaining the services of the Spaniard was a good piece of business from Boro, whose main objective this season is to stave off relegation from the Premier League.
Newcastle would have been a better team had they been able to sign Ayala, as the Magpies aim to get promoted from the Championship.
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