Newcastle United are not interested in making a move for Lyon striker Myziane Maolida who was linked to the club on Thursday (2 August), according to the Chronicle.
The regional newspaper report on their website that late loan deals are the Magpies’ best options of bringing in new players ahead of the transfer deadline, and definitively state that a swoop for the 19-year-old forward is not on the cards after L’Equipe linked him with a move.
The Chronicle claim that boss Rafa Benitez has not been able to judge the size of his budget all summer, meaning that he has lost out on some targets, or has ruled out moves – including that of Maolida.
OPINION
Benitez has not had a lot to work with this summer, and he has done well with a limited transfer kitty. The fact that he has not known the budget available to him all summer is unacceptable and it remains to be seen how a manager can work in those circumstances. Managers undoubtedly want reassurances of the amount of money that they have to spend, and as a result decide on appropriate transfer targets. This has not been the case with Benitez, who has arguably had to improvise. They are capable of bringing more talented players if they had a larger transfer budget – and most players would be keen to join a club who achieved a top ten finish. However, Benitez has worked with what he had, which is all he can do at the moment. Maolida was obviously a bright and talented prospect, but for now he will not be making the move to Tyneside.
