Newcastle United look set to pull out of the race to sign Wigan Athletic's Arouna Kone, according to the
Chronicle. Wigan had given the Magpies permission to speak with the 29-year-old,
as we reported yesterday, but the North East club have now apparently cooled their interest. The Ivorian international has a £5 million release clause built into his contract with the Latics, who were relegated from the Premier League in May, and it is understood his preferred destination is Everton when he calls time on his stay at the DW Stadium. Newcastle were interested at one stage, but a move for the star, who scored 13 goals last season, would be a complete u-turn in the club's transfer policy. Now, Wigan sources have suggested the Magpies have ended their pursuit of the player, who will now likely move to Everton. New director of football Joe Kinnear is desperate to see his first transfer go through under his new role, before departing for a planned family break. The former Wimbledon boss reportedly told the clubs owner Mike Ashley earlier this week that he wanted to have delivered a first new signing
by Friday, with St Etienne striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang linked with the club, but those claims too appear to have been unfounded.