Newcastle United: Boubakary Soumare failed transfer link has supporters frustrated with Keith Downie revelation

According to an update by Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie on Twitter, Newcastle United were allegedly close to signing Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare in a £35 million deal which failed to materialise due to the player rejecting a move – prompting some supporters to slate the news.

Soumare, who has been likened to Manchester United star Paul Pogba in the past (Sky Sports), is being dubbed a hot prospect throughout Europe as a passing midfielder with huge potential. The 20-year-old, who has started 15 games for Lille in Ligue 1 this season, has amassed a noteworthy 89.9% pass success rate from midfield – with current Magpies crop Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden averaging just 74.2% and 77.7% by comparison, as per WhoScored.com.

Soumare has also averaged the same amount of tackles (1.1) in the league as Shelvey, potentially hinting that he could be an upgrade with his improved passing. However, according to Downie’s update, the youngster refused a move this window – resulting in some supporters lashing out at the business.

Here’s what they had to say on Twitter.

If they have £35m to spend on a midfielder why not splash that cash on a striker or we could of went for Jarrod Bowen typical Newcastle United

— (@mickey_marr) January 31, 2020

I almost choked on my breakfast when Steve Bruce said we almost broke our transfer record. You can’t fool us fans.

— DiscoDan (@DiscoDan18) January 31, 2020

Yep, because we’re desperately lacking in numbers in midfield?? Wouldn’t spend £16m on Bowen? 4 strikers have one goal between them!? Shambolic to say the least!!

— Paul Scott (@scottespana10) January 31, 2020

He knew bigger ckubs would come for him in the summer

— AbiTariq (@aubatariq) January 31, 2020

OK then, if this is true, why didn’t anyone question why they haven’t used that money to buy a much needed Striker instead?!

— Jason Glazier (@iamJasonGlazier) January 31, 2020