Newcastle missed out on Maxime Gonalons to Roma.
Newcastle United missed out on the signing of Maxime Gonalons last month with the Frenchman clinching a move to Roma.
According to L’Equipe, Newcastle were plotting a potential move for Lyon midfielder, who Rafa Benitez had previously wanted at Napoli.
Lyon’s Maxime Gonalons celebrates
Gonalons had a helping hand in choosing Roma from former Newcastle defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – his Lyon teammate, who encouraged him to make the switch.
The midfielder told Roma TV, Tuttomercatoweb reported, that Yanga-Mbiwa had given a glowing review of life in Rome.
Picture Supplied by Action Images
Newcastle sent the defender out on loan to Roma in 2014 before selling him permanently to the Serie A side.
He is now at French side Lyon, having lasted just 12 months at the Italian side, but Newcastle’s decision to let him go to Roma has had an unfortunate consequence.
Gonalons’ mind may have been made up well in advance of speaking to his pal, and Newcastle were always going to find it an uphill task in signing the midfielder once Roma expressed their interest.
Newcastle fans were keen on the idea of signing the Lyon captain, and the midfielder could have been a terrific addition to their side.
As it stands Newcastle have signed just one player this transfer window, French defender Florian Lejeune, from Eibar.
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