OPINION
Newcastle United have been handed a bitter blow as Stoke City have announced that they are to hang on to their central midfielder Badou Ndiaye for the time being – a move which could have been big for the Magpies.
Potters’ boss Gary Rowett was quoted by the Chronicle as saying: “While there has been a lot of speculation about Badou Ndiaye and Jack Butland I hope they can see what we are trying to do and see their potential here.”
The news that they are to keep hold of the Championship enforcer would have been a blow to the Magpies, who the Chronicle state were linked with a move for the Senegal international this summer.
They were reportedly put off by the £16 million price tag slapped on his services, but it is arguable that he was overvalued by his club, meaning that they could have snapped him up if he was available for a reasonable fee.
However, it has now been cemented that anymore attempts to sign him will not be entertained by Rowett, who undoubtedly wants to keep hold of him as he aims to get his team back in the Premier League in the first time of asking.
N’Diaye would have been an excellent addition to Newcastle, providing the much-needed stability in front of a defence that is looking weakened due Florian Lejeune being sidelined.
He demonstrated for Stoke what an important player he is, and while he could not help them avoid the drop, he showed that he is hard worker who is committed to the cause.
Newcastle needed a player like this on their books, especially now that they face a wobbly future with Mike Ashley. Right now, they need all the commitment that they can get from their players.
N’Diaye may be off limits for now, but should he be available in the next transfer window, the Toon must swoop for him in order to forget this transfer blow.
