Newcastle, Sunderland and a number of Premier League clubs have missed out on the signing of Lens defender Jean-Kevin Duverne, according to France Football magazine.
The French publication believes that the Magpies, the Black Cats, Liverpool, Tottenham, Southampton and a number of Spanish clubs had been tracking the 19 year old in the past few months but the player has opted to stay at the Ligue Two side and sign his first professional contract.
After signing his new deal, centre back Duverne told France Football that he was flattered by the interest being shown in him but wanted to stay and work under the tutelage of current manager Alain Casanova at Lens who gave him his professional debut in Ligue Two at the start of this season:
“When you see the clubs interested in you, it’s flattering. I also received agent calls right, left and centre. It was sometimes difficult to manage. But there are steps. The goal was turning pro with RC Lens. Although I am inspired by Sergio Ramos and Thiago Silva, I hope to make a career like Varane. I want to play to my maximum, I take what there is to take and I want to give the best of myself.”
Duverne made his debut against Tours in early August and the centre back has made six further appearances so far for Lens this season.
