PSV Eindhoven chief John de Jong has admitted he fielded calls for highly-rated midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré, amid reported interest from Newcastle United.
The Magpies were keen to add a combative midfielder to their ranks last month and eventually settled on Bruno Guimaraes, signing the Brazilian in a £40m deal.
Before that move was finalised, they were linked with midfielders all over Europe, including Sangaré, who has been impressing for PSV this season.
A report at the beginning of January made it clear that Newcastle had made the first move for the midfielder and had even been in contact with his agent.
That was followed by former PSV star Arnold Bruggink suggesting he could see the move happening, although ultimately it never did, and the Ivorian footballer stayed in the Netherlands.
“I’ve seen his matches, and I’ve seen that he did well there (at AFCON). In the end, there was also quite some commotion around him on the market,” Voetbal International report him saying.
“I have had contact with his manager. His agent had a lot of information from the Premier League.
“Eventually, there were also many people who approached me to realize a transfer. Then you notice that he is very popular in the market.
“I think he was very followed from the Premier League at the Africa Cup and in the first half of the season. That’s why I’m happy we managed to keep him for the rest of the season.”
