Coventry City manager Steven Pressley has rubbished reports linking the Sky Blues with a January swoop for Newcastle United midfielder Gael Bigirimana, according to the Coventry Telegraph.
Bigirimana left the Sixfields Stadium for Tyneside in a deal reportedly worth between £500,000 and £1,000,000 in July 2012.
The Burundi-born England youth international, 20, has featured just once in the Capital One Cup for the Magpies this term after making 25 appearances across all competitions in 2012/13.
Recent reports have linked the 20-year-old midfielder with a temporary move away from St James’ Park in the January transfer window, with former club Coventry suggested as a possible destination.
However, the Sky Blues’ boss Steven Pressley has insisted the club are not interested in Bigirimana.
“There’s no truth in that. He’s obviously a very talented player, but he’s not somebody we are looking at,” Pressley told the Coventry Telegraph.
Meanwhile, Bigirimana — whose current contract expires in the summer of 2017 — has ruled out the possibility of going out on loan this season.
“I’m going to stay here. I’m going to be patient, and I’m going to work my socks off,” said the 20-year-old.
“I showed last year that I didn’t look out of place in the big games. That’s not being big-headed, that’s how I feel I did.
“So I’m not going on loan. My target this season is to fight. You never know how the season can change.
“Patience is the key. In football, you’ve got to be patient. You’ve got to stay fit and keep working in training.”
Newcastle United are scheduled to host Norwich City at St James’ Park on Saturday, 23 November 2013.
Newcastle (8/11); Norwich (11/4); Draw (15/4)
Vieira admits Pogba ‘mistake’
Manchester City Elite Development Squad manager Patrick Vieira has revealed the club’s failure to make an official move for Paul Pogba following his exit from Manchester United was a transfer ‘mistake’.
Pogba, who joined Juventus after leaving Old Trafford in the summer of 2012, has become one of the hottest prospects in European football over the past two seasons.
The France international, 20, bagged five goals in 35 competitive appearances for Juve last term before leading France to FIFA Under-20 World Cup glory in Turkey in the summer.
“He’s a player I really like,” Vieira told L’Equipe.
“I saw him play for Manchester United and to not have signed him when he left that club was a mistake because he is an extraordinary player.
“Many tell me that [he plays like I used to]. I think he is more attacking than me and perhaps more technically skilled.”
Pogba has tallied five goals and three assists in 17 matches for the Italian champions this season.
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