The Chronicle have emphatically ruled the club out of signing Lille midfielder Thiago Maia as they focus on signing players in other positions before the end of the transfer window.
French publication Le10 Sport had reported that the Brazilian could join us on loan, in view to a €25m (£22m) purchase next summer, but that is believed to be wide of the mark.
When polled, fans were still very much in favour of recruiting Maia:
Lille are under severe financial pressure, and would likely consider any bid for the 21-year-old. However, our inability to get a deal done even for a top target like Salomon Rondon would suggest an offer for the Brazilian Under 23 international is unrealistic.
It looks like we will have to pay the £16.5m release clause for the Venezuelan as Dwight Gayle has failed to agree personal terms with West Brom to move in the other direction.