Newcastle United look set to miss out on another target as Krzysztof Piatek is allegedly only interested in joining a side in the Champions League.
The AC Milan forward – who is currently playing in no European competition – has been the interest of the Magpies this month after it is said that he has become available due to the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Sun on Sunday (January 19; pg. 63) report that Toon have been dealt a setback as they were reportedly the only club willing to buy the attacker, with them being quoted a hefty £35m fee – something they were seemingly happy to pay.
Despite the serious interest from United, it seems as if Piatek is happy to stay and fight for his place in Italy, even with the club being pretty happy to sell him. If the Polish forward is to get a move away this window, he is probably going to have to hope that Spurs come knocking, as they seem to be the only Champions League team with an interest.
Can Bruce pull a rabbit out of the hat & make a 'big' signing?
Yes
No
This is pretty negative news for Newcastle, however, it’s a deal which would always have been a bit of a coup if they had pulled off.
And, even still, the club could be staring another risk in the face by spending over £30m on him, as there are certainly no insurances that he will be banging them in on Tyneside.
This season he has scored just five goals in all competitions from 19 games, three of which have come from the penalty spot. Not exactly the goalscoring form that is wanted at St James’ Park.
Ultimately, though, his return of 26 from 55 games shows that he knows where the back of the net is. The club may have missed out on spending big by him not having any interest, but they may have also missed out on a striker who can score regularly.
This is not the first forward that the club look to have missed out on so far this window, with Olivier Giroud looking to be going elsewhere too.