Newcastle and Southampton target speaks out after snubbing Premier League move

Newcastle and Southampton target Ruben Semedo has spoken out after snubbing a move to England in favour of La Liga outfit Villarreal, reports Portuguese newspaper Record (via Sport Witness).

The 23-year-old was attracting much interest around Europe after a fine campaign at Sporting CP, in which time he made 24 Primeira Liga appearances to help Jorge Jesus’ side finish third in the division, 12 points behind champions Benfica.

And two of those sides reportedly showing an interest were Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle and Claude Puel’s Southampton, both of whom were looking to strengthen their defensive options ahead of their respective Premier League campaigns next term.

However, they will have to look beyond Semedo, as the Portugal Under-21 international was yesterday confirmed as a Villarreal player on a four-year contract, in a deal worth €14 million.

And the 23-year-old has spoken out about interest in England, and why he decided against moving to the Premier League this summer.

He said: ‘England was also a hypothesis, but I was astonished when I heard the name of Villarreal.

‘The project is amazing… That’s what led me to sign for Villarreal. They have a good team and quality of play.’

These comments will surely come as a blow to Newcastle and Southampton fans, with it clear that a move to England was a potential option for Semedo, only to be outdone by the vision of La Liga outfit Villarreal.

And it leaves both Benitez and Puel looking further afield for reinforcements this summer, with Newcastle looking to bolster defensive options to compete in the top-flight next term, while the Saints look increasing like losing Virgil van Dijk this summer, surely requiring a replacement.

However, it won’t be Semedo.