Newcastle United enjoyed a fruitful January transfer window, bringing five new recruits to St James’ Park.
The Magpies began brightly by landing Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood.
A lull followed, but Newcastle then got three signings over the line in the last two days.
The Magpies first landed Bruno Guimaraes, then Matt Targett and Dan Burn arrived on deadline day.
Newcastle were unlucky on a couple of fronts, however.
WAYNE ROONEY TO EVERTON IS A JOKE.
Sven Botman, Diego Carlos, Hugo Ekitike, Jesse Lingard and Mohammed Salisu were a few players the club failed to land.
Now, 90Min has revealed why the Southampton man’s January move to Newcastle fell through.
The outlet claims Newcastle’s new owners earmarked Salisu as a top January target in late 2021.
And things seemed to be progressing well.
Talks reportedly took place over Salisu moving to St James’ Park in a transfer worth around £40million including add-ons and bonuses.
However, Southampton’s change of ownership led to Newcastle missing out on the 6ft 3in defender.
Serbian billionaire Dragan Solak, the businessman behind TV operator United Group, fronted a takeover at St Mary’s on 5 January.
90Min claims one of Solak’s first orders of business was to make a decision on Salisu’s proposed exit.
And the new owners reportedly ‘wasted little time in cancelling the transfer’.
They identified 22-year-old as a key part of both the present and future of the club, claimed the report.
“Could play in one of the 10 best teams in the world”
Newcastle reportedly still have Salisu on their wish list ahead of the summer.
However, the club’s Premier League status could have a big bearing on whether they’ll try for him again.
Salisu has been one of Southampton’s key players this season, standing out as one of their top performers.
The Ghana international was reportedly on the radar of Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Manchester United in the past.
Fran Castano, Salisu’s coach back in Accra, is quoted by 90Min as saying: “I think he will be one of the best centre-backs of African football.
“And if everything goes well he could play in one of the 10 best teams in the world.”
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