Newcastle United are reportedly set to miss out on Sikou Niakate.
According to Get French Football News, Valenciennes defender Sikou Niakate is now unlikely to sign for Newcastle United after he changed his mind about a move.
The Magpies have made six signings this summer, with their deal for Salomon Rondon on Monday boosting Rafael Benitez’s squad again after deals for Martin Dubravka, Fabian Schar, Ki Sung-yueng, Kenedy and Yoshinori Muto.
Newcastle remain in the market for more signings before this evening’s 5pm deadline though, and a new name entered the fray earlier this week in Valenciennes defender Sikou Niakate.
Niakate was thought to be homing in on a move to Tyneside, but a change in the Magpies’ offer appears to have forced the defender to re-think a deadline day switch.
Get French Football News now report that Newcastle had suggested that Niakate would be a part of Rafael Benitez’s first team, but have since moved the goalposts and outlined plans for him to go into the Under-23’s.
Niakate isn’t interested in playing developmental football having been in the Valenciennes first team, and is subsequently set to snub a move to Newcastle in order to continue his development in France.
The 19-year-old centre back looks to be one for the future, and that’s how Newcastle seemingly felt as they weren’t willing to put him straight into contention for Premier League playing time.
That appears to have cost Newcastle a deal though, and that may be another source of frustration for Benitez ahead of the transfer deadline.
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