Newcastle Target Boubakary Soumare Hoping To Secure Liverpool or Manchester United move

If reports in England are to be believed, LOSC Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare rejected a transfer to Newcastle in January. He is believed to be waiting for an interest from Liverpool or Manchester United.

The Magpies were close to landing the midfield sensation for £35m after Lille accepted their offer. Despite having a private jet booked to take him to Tyneside and Newcastle star winger Allan Saint-Maximin showing him the training ground facilities on FaceTime, Soumare snubbed the move at the eleventh hour.

As per reports, he is keen on a move to England but he dreams about a switch to either Anfield or Old Trafford.

The 20-year-old has a host of suitors across Europe and in fact, both Manchester United and Liverpool have watched him closely on a number of occasions.

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have also been monitoring the progress of the French Under-21 international and could be making a move in the summer in order to bolster their midfield.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce was seemingly disappointed as he missed out on the 20-year-old midfield dynamo despite coming so close to landing him.

He said: “We had a bid accepted and got past the club but unfortunately the player wanted to stay where he was.”

“I think with him it was just to keep his options open. He is only young and there is a lot of top clubs who have been linked with him.”

“At the death, it was, 'We want to keep our options open until the summer'. He changed his mind - otherwise I would not have gone on a goose chase.”

“I do not want anyone to be cynical about this bid. We thought we were really, really close.”

Liverpool and Manchester United are seemingly the dream destinations of the young Frenchman but it seems unlikely that Liverpool will make a move for him.

They are having a sensational season and could break many Premier League records at the end of the campaign. They are well stocked with options in the middle of the park.

Manchester United, however, could be a realistic target for him as the Red Devils are still in need of quality additions in almost every position.

Despite missing out on their top target, Newcastle made three loan signings with Nabil Bentaleb, Valentino Lazaro and Danny Rose and have improved their squad quite significantly.

Cover image credits: Sky Sports