Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga is refusing to play for the club according to Sky Sports, as he wants to move to Newcastle United.
The French club are refusing to do business with the Magpies after they submitted a £7 million bid for the Mali international.
Maiga was angered after learning that the club rebuffed Newcastle’s offer and refused to play against Caen at the weekend also stating he won’t play for Sochaux again.
The 23-year-old is desperate to play in the Premier League and is now trying force through a move to St James’ Park after rejecting a new contract.
Maiga said: “Yes [they have made me an offer], but before the Newcastle offer I have not been offered anything, but now I would like the chairman to consider my interest. I want to leave.
“I met everyone at Newcastle. They want me and it is not just any club. Premier League is a dream.
“That is the kind of game I like, it suits me and it is good for my career. I want to leave, he has to accept that and negotiate.” He added
“I told the coach I would play and respect my contract, but the chairman has to talk about my transfer first. I don’t want to annoy Sochaux, but I want it to be sorted out with Newcastle.”
The Malian joined the Ligue 1 club from Le Mans last summer and had a superb season scoring 15 goals and would join Demba Ba in the North East as Alan Pardew continues to try and replace Andy Carroll.
So, Newcastle have made an inquiry about Maiga and he clearly wants to move to the Magpies, but is he good enough and does Pardew want a player who goes on strike at the drop of a hat?
Written by Jak Penny
NothingButNewcastle.com is looking for writers. If you love the Toon get in touch at nothingbutnewcastle@snack-media.com
Once a player says he wants to join us we lose interest. We only want to pursue players who either:
a) don’t want to play for us or
b) have a huge price tag due to their ability
…. so we can say “Well at least we tried”. Pathetic!
I’d disagree, I think we’re now going for players who DO want to play for us and AREN’T on a huge pay packet.