Valencia sporting director Mateu Alemany was all set to join Newcastle United, it has been revealed.

That's the claim of former Valencia marketing director Damià Vidagany who has told MARCA, that Alemany was going to be 'totally responsible' for the project at St James' Park.

It now looks likely Alemany will head to Barcelona as director of football.

Vidagany said: "There was a moment when the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund was going to buy Newcastle, and the person totally responsible if this operation was carried out, was Mateu Alemany.

“He was the person they had chosen to take the club forward. He has always been clear that he wanted a sporting project.

“Going to Barça will be for him like touching Everest. Along with Real Madrid, they are the two biggest clubs in the world, and it is a tremendous challenge.

“The operation was not done because the Premier League vetoed it."