According to reports from The Express this afternoon, former Arsenal and Chelsea star Ashley Cole rejected the chance to join Newcastle United on deadline day.
The veteran defender is widely regarded as the greatest left-back in Premier League history, winning three league titles, a record seven FA Cups, the 2012 Champions League title and a centenary of caps for the England national team.
Following eight years in west London, he left Chelsea to join Serie A outfit Roma on a free transfer last summer, but terminated his contract by mutual consent in August after managing just eleven league appearances in his only season at the Stadio Olympico.
And according to The Express, who cite reports from Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, the 34 year-old rejected the chance to return to the Premier League with Newcastle United on deadline day.
Now a free agent, Cole is still able to sign for clubs outside of the transfer window – but it appears he has no interest in joining the ranks on Tyneside.