OPINION
If you look back over the last several months of Newcastle transfer rumours, there will be one name that sticks out above all others: Garry Rodrigues.
The Galatasaray winger has been linked with the Magpies since the January transfer window, with reports covering initial interest, enquiries, failed bids, and a renewed hunt this summer.
All of this however seems to have finally been put to bed by the Cape Verde international, who has broken his silence on the interest from Newcastle, among other clubs.
As quoted by Turkish Football, Rodrigues said: “I do not want to leave, I am focused on the Champions League. I am at a Championship-winning side and think want to compete in the Champions League under the management of Fatih Terim.”
While this may look like a blow for Newcastle after the club have held such a long-standing interest in the speed machine, in fact the Magpies have dodged a bullet this summer.
Rodrigues is a decent player, there is no doubt about that. The Netherlands-born star scored 10 goals and laid on 11 assists in 40 matches this season, which is an impressive return.
That follows a season in which he scored eight times and got 11 assists, meaning that he has managed to keep up this kind of form for two seasons running.
However, at the age of 27, Rodrigues is still yet to prove in one of Europe’s top-five leagues.
The winger has played for clubs in the Netherlands, Greece and Bulgaria, with a one season stint in Spain for Elche the only experience he has at the very top level.
His stats that season? Three goals and three assists in 41 games.
While that does not mean that Rodrigues would not succeed in England, it does not bode well for him coming in and making an instant impact in Newcastle’s bid to qualify for Europe next season.
If Rodrigues turns up next season and smashes it for Galatasaray in the Champions League, then maybe Newcastle would do well to move for him.
But as it stands they have dodged a bullet this summer, and they can move on to their interest in other targets.
