Allan Saint-Maximin did all he could to convince Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare to join him at Newcastle United.

L'Equipe says Saint-Maximin was trying to tempt the 20-year-old with a move to England, but the Frenchman decided to stay at Lille.

Steve Bruce revealed they were close to smashing their transfer record, but Soumare turned them down.

Joelinton cost the club £40million in the summer and Bruce was hoping to conclude a deal for the Lille star.

Bruce said: "We had a bid accepted that would have been near enough a club record but the player didn't want to come.

"We got past the club but unfortunately the player wanted to stay where he was.

"We couldn't get it over the line and that was a big disappointment."