The Magpies 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 itwould 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."
