Bafetimbi Gomis says Newcastle deal fell through when they haggled on wages

Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis claims he had agreed a deal to join Newcastle in the summer. But the transfer collapsed when the Magpies asked him to lower his wage demands.

The France international had agreed a deal verbally with the Toon. But when it came to progressing the deal after a fee had been agreed with Lyon, Gomis says he was asked to “make an effort” on his salary.

The 28-year-old, who hadn’t been agitating for a transfer, was understandably confused as to why he was being asked to compromise on the verbal deal by a club that was attempting to woo him.

Gomis said: “I had a talk with Newcastle’s coach and we found an agreement.

“Then, there were talks with Lyon, there was a first offer – which was refused and then a second one, which was accepted.

“Newcastle then came back to me and asked me to make an effort on wages – but I never asked anything as it was my club which wanted to transfer me, so the effort had to be made by Newcastle or Lyon.”

And Newcastle failed to get their man.