Newcastle United’s refusal to offer what Sporting were looking for has resulted in a deal for midfielder Palhinha being ruled out this month.
That’s according to Record, who say that Sporting president Frederico Varandas has ‘assured’ Ruben Amorim that the Portuguese international will be remaining at the club until the end of the season.
The midfielder had emerged as one of the numerous targets for Newcastle before deadline day as they look to bolster their squad before the window slams shut.
Sporting had apparently opened up to the idea of a transfer for their star man, and talks were underway to see if it could happen.
That is now off the table, though, after Newcastle’s failure to offer terms that Sporting could accept for a deal.
Record explain that Sporting’s leaders were looking for an offer of €35m but wanted an ‘immediate payment’ of part of that amount.
They’ve now ended any possibility of a deal, with Varandas telling his manager that the midfielder will remain at Alvalade until the end of the season.
This may not be the end of Newcastle’s business with the Portuguese club; however, as Record also report they are keen on Gonçalo Inácio.
The nature of their interest in the 20-year-old centre-back isn’t mentioned, but it’s there nonetheless, and that could be something to keep an eye on the closer we get to the window closing on Monday.
