Newcastle United have reportedly ended their interest in Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney.
The 25-year-old, on the back of impressive first half of the season, had attracted interests from a number of Championship clubs, including Newcastle.
However, according to a report from the Sun, the Cottagers slapped a price tag of £20m on their star player when the Magpies approached to discuss a possible move.
Now, HITC claims that the recent comments from Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez suggest that a move for Cairney is dead in the water.
“We have some names [on our radar], we have had some names but clubs say: ‘£20million’ or ‘he’s not for sale’,” Benitez told The Chronicle. “Then we have to move forward and look for another one.”
“In January, it’s so difficult. To find these players with experience who can make the difference, it’s very difficult.
“Normally it’s because they are not playing or because they have been injured, or if it is a young player who can make the difference, they will not sell to you because it’s January and it’s very expensive.”
Meanwhile, Chronicle’s chief sports writer Lee Ryder has suggested that Magpies are interested in re-signing Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend.
Ryder, on his Twitter, revealed talks have taken placed regarding the possibility of signing the 25-year-old this month.
@scottmather1 There’s been talks from what I understand. Watch this space.
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) January 17, 2017
Townsend joined the Magpies from Tottenham in a £12 million move. However, he spent only six months at the club, and following Newcastle’s relegation to Championship, he joined Crystal Palace for £13 million.
He has managed to score only one goal in 20 league appearances for the Eagles this season.
