By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: <a href='http://bit.ly/lRx0Da' class='instorylink'>@skygraemebailey</a>
Wednesday 31 August 2011 09:53, UK
Image:Maiga: Staying at Sochaux
Sochaux have insisted that they will not be selling forward Modibo Maiga on transfer deadline day.
French side insists forward won't be joining Newcastle
Sochaux have insisted that they will not be selling forward Modibo Maiga on transfer deadline day.
Newcastle had been hoping to land the 23-year-old, who had previously gone on strike to try and force through a move to the North East.
Sochaux, who earlier this month threatened to report Newcastle to Fifa, confirmed that they were considering a bid but the French club insisted that they would only sell if they had a replacement.
They wanted Leeds United's Max Gradel but he has opted for their Ligue 1 rivals St Etienne and that means Sochaux are not planning on letting Maiga leave.
"If we had found a successor, he would have gone," Sochaux chairman Alexander Lacombe said, admitting he could instead leave in January.
"If we find a replacement in December then, yes he could leave in the winter."
Lacombe admitted they failed to get Gradel, saying: "On the one hand it would have been a disadvantage as he is due to play in the African Cup of Nations.
"But it is up to Leeds, they are the selling club."
