Newcastle United ‘come up short’ with bid amid Allan Saint-Maximin transfer claim

Newcastle United’s January transfer window is now over and done with, and they can now get on with their top four bid.

The Magpies are enjoying a superb season, pushing for a Champions League spot, and having secured a Carabao Cup final spot. Eddie Howe did manage to add to his squad during the window, with Anthony Gordon’s £45million arrival stealing the headlines, but they were not overly busy, as expected, having already spent a fair chunk in the last two windows.

The rumours will continue to pour in ahead of the summer, though, and here we have rounded up all the latest transfer news and rumours surrounding St James’ park.

Franca move fails

Newcastle have come up short in their bid to land Flamengo starlet Matheus Franca.

According to Globo Esporte, the Magpies have continued in their attempt to build for the future by attempting to sign Franca. The report claims the Magpies offered £17.7million, but Flamengo wanted - and indeed want - £22.1million for the 18-year-old midfielder.

The report does claim that conversations could continue into the coming months, but they are likely to go onto the back-burner now that the January transfer deadline has been missed.

Bellingham rumours

Allan Saint-Maximin attracted interest during the January window, with Serie A champions AC Milan reportedly expressing an interest.

Allan’s agent, Fabrizio Ferrari, has now spoken about the incident in an interview with DAZN (via Sportitalia). He said: “It was a conversation. We took measures, but there was never a real opportunity to see him at Milan.

“I think there was at least appreciation for the player, but we didn’t go ahead because Milan had other priorities. [The] will of the player? How can you not like this club.”