Manchester City striker Olarenwaju Kayode has disclosed that Newcastle, amongst other clubs, were interested in his signature during the summer transfer window.
However, the Nigeria international chose to pitch his tent with Pep Guardiola’s camp, and was immediately loaned to La Liga outfit Girona.
The Magpies wanted to land a top striker capable of helping them with their topflight ambitions, and Kayode, who emerged highest goalscorer in the Austrian Bundesliga last season with 17 goals in 33 games for Austrian Wien, was a top target.
City snapped up the 24-year-old on a 4-year deal, and he has revealed why snubbed Newcastle and Co for the Etihad outfit.
Kayode told Sport5: “A lot of teams in Europe approached me after the last season: Alaves, Malaga, CSKA Moscow, Spartak Moscow and Newcastle.
“I did not know how to digest it and I had a hard time deciding until the offer came from Manchester City.
“They came to see me in Austria and told me that they believed me very much, so I went for medical tests in England, where I met Pep Guardiola, the coach.
“When I saw the papers that Manchester City approached me, I was really excited and did not believe it.
“He told me that I had a great talent and he was following me for a long period of time, and Pep stressed that I was a good player for him and I should join City.”
Newcastle ended up signing Joselu from Stoke City instead, with the Spaniard arriving on a 3-year deal for £5million.
The 27-year-old has scored once in 4 EPL games, with the most important goals for the club in recent games not coming from the striking department.
It remains to be known if Kayode would have hit the ground running at Saint James’ Park, but Newcastle don’t appear lacking firing power in the final third at the moment.
