The transfer of Wigan striker Arouna Koné took a twist today with Newcastle set to challenge Everton with a £5.5m offer.
Apparently a deal with Everton was all done and dusted for the Ivory Coast international striker, in fact he was expected to have signed on the dotted line at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
But an 11th hour bid from Newcastle has pipped Everton's £5m offer.
Reports in the North East say that the Geordies have been given permission to speak to the player by the Latics after agreeing a fee.
Arouna Koné (born 11 November 1983) is an Ivorian international.
After making a name for himself in the Eredivisie, with Roda and PSV, he signed with Sevilla in 2007, where he rarely appeared due to injury and loans.
Koné represented Côte d'Ivoire in the 2006 World Cup, as well as three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
On 14 August 2012, Koné signed a three-year contract with Wigan Athletic, for a reported fee of €3.5 million.
Wigan beat off competition from a number of other English clubs, with the striker being persuaded to sign because of manager Roberto Martinez ... who is now at Everton.
He scored his first league goal in only his second match and his first start, netting in the 89th minute against Southampton for the final goal in a 2–0 away win.
Following Koné's impressive start to his Wigan career, manager Roberto Martínez commented that: “We’re so pleased with Arouna.
"He has been a joy to work with.
"I have never seen a foreign player arrive in England and adapt so quickly and be able to be himself.
"He has shown he can cope with the physicality of the league and on top of that, he has incredible finishing ability and technical quality.
"We’ve been extremely blessed to have Arouna in our dressing room.”
Koné won the FA Cup, featuring the full 90 minutes in the 1–0 upset against Manchester City.
However, only three days later, with him on the pitch again, Wigan were relegated from the top division following a 1–4 defeat at Arsenal.
Source: Newcastle United Mad
Source: FOOTYMAD
