PIF clanger: Frustrating NUFC transfer claim emerges that'll leave Eddie Howe gutted - opinion

A frustrating Newcastle United transfer claim has emerged on their efforts to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Kerem Demirbay.

German outlet Fussball Transfers, via Inside Futbol, the midfield gem rejected the club’s advances last month after an enquiry from the Magpies.

The report claims that he opted to remain with the Bundesliga outfit in order to help them go as far as possible in the Europa League.

Eddie Howe will surely be gutted with this as PIF dropped a clanger during with January transfer window with this move for Demirbay. This report suggests that the issue was with the player not being keen on a switch to St. James’ Park, with the board seemingly not doing enough to convince him.

PIF may not have made an attractive enough offer to tempt him into quitting Leverkusen to come and experience Premier League football. It is unclear as to whether or not the German outfit were open to selling him, but it appears as though the main issue came from Demirbay’s decision and that is what will frustrate Howe.

He has an outstanding career average WhoScored rating of 7.18 throughout his time with Hamburg, Hoffenheim and Leverkusen. This shows that he has maintained a high level of quality in his performances over the course of a number of years, which indicates that he could have been a quality, and reliable, option for the Magpies in the second half of the campaign.

In the Bundesliga this season, he has averaged a score of 7.05 for his current club. He has made 3.5 tackles and interceptions per game to show off his defensive ability, whilst also completing 3.0 dribbles and key passes per match.

Demirbay is able to make an impact at both boxes with his energetic midfield performances and this is another reason why Howe will be