NUFC reporter confirms Gelson Martins deal has now been 'hijacked'
According to the Chronicle's Lee Ryder, Monaco have now hijacked Newcastle's bid to sign Atletico Madrid's Gelson Martins.
The Chronicle claim that the winger held talks with Newcastle today but failed to commit to the proposed loan, stating the player was 'lukewarm on the move' - leaving Rafa 'looking at other options' as a result.
It was confirmed earlier today that we had entered talks with the La Liga side over a potential loan deal, but it looks like Monaco have now snuck in to sign the 23-year-old.
Here's what Lee Ryder has said about the situation in the last few moments:
Portuguese outlet A Bola also claiming that he'll sign for Thierry Henry's side on loan until the end of the season - so the Chronicle aren't the only one suggesting we've lost out.
It feels like typical Newcastle United, but this is something that the Telegraph's Luke Edwards did warn could happen earlier in the day, with him admitting that several other clubs were interested in signing the former Sporting Lisbon star.
Time will tell if the deal is completely dead, but the latest reports from the Chronicle are suggesting Martins will spend the second half of the season with Thierry Henry at Monaco - and not with Rafa Benitez on Tyneside.
Ironically, it looks like Monaco were negotiating a deal for Martins just as we made a move to sign their very own left-back Antonio Barreca on loan.
