Yoan Gouffran: "I think the new investment fund could be great for Newcastle, because it’s massive club"

  Former Newcastle United forward Yoan Gouffran, who spent two years with Turkish side Göztepe, was signed by Armenian Premier League champions Ararat-Armenia in February 2020. French player spent 4 years at Newcastle United. He scored 19 times in over 100 appearances for The Magpies, helping the club regain their English Premier League status in the 2016/17 Championship title-winning campaign. The club have held further discussions with the 33-years old player about a new deal in summer 2017, but the Frenchman decided to leave England. Rafael Benitez is happy to see Yoan Gouffran reaping the rewards of his hard work after Newcastle's 2-0 win over Wolves   Former Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez (Newcastle United manager 2016-2019) wanted him to stay at the team. He ( had said to in May 2017: “Yoan Gouffran has been an equally committed and dedicated team-player for this club, as well as a hugely popular member of the squad.

“I can confirm we are in early-stage discussions now with Yoan’s agent to see if there might be a solution that could work for both the player and the club which may see Yoan extend his service to Newcastle United, but we will know more in the coming days.”

However, the Frenchman has turned down the chance to sign a new contract extension with Newcastle United and left for Turkish side Göztepe. Speaking exclusively to VbetNews Gouffran reveals, why he rejected a contract extension and has opened up on his relationship with Rafael Benitez.

I have always had a good relationship with Rafael Benitez. He is smart guy and I improved a lot to while I was at Newcastle. He wanted me to stay but he had some problems with the board they wanted to give me one year contract but I wanted more. He 'fought' for me to get a new contract but they wanted the only year and I decided to decline because I wanted to secure my future and don’t think about what will happen next year.

On 26 December 2013, Gouffran scored yet again in a comprehensive 5–1 victory over Stoke City at St James' Park, in doing so becoming the first player for Newcastle to score in five consecutive games at St. James' Park since Alan Shearer in 1997

I didn’t know about that before the game. I was in the race to score in 5 consecutive games at St James Parks. After the match a reporter told me that. I was proud, because Alan Shearer was one of my favorite players when I was young but I didn’t receive a call or congrats from him, unfortunately. However I had a lot of good moments in Newcastle like my first game with the team because it was my dream to play in England when we promoted to Premier League with Rafael Benitez. I still follow Newcastle United

About Newcastle United takeover

I think the new investment fund could be great for Newcastle, because it’s massive club and they deserve to be on the top. A few years ago they were on the top. Some people don’t think that Newcastle United is not a great club but it is. You can see all the great players played there.

About Lille and Göztepe

Lille? No it was just sports papers, I had never contacted them. After Newcastle United, I wanted something new, I wanted a new challenge and Göztepe was the club who wanted me the most and showed me that but after playing there 2 years I can say it was a bad decision, because everything was fake and I didn’t like to play there.

About Ararat Armenia

Ararat Armenia is a new club but you can see that they want to grow up step by step. They are current champions and we want the same this year and I really hope to help this club

 

New Transfer! Welcome Yoan Gouffran!🔥🔥🔥#WelcomeGouffran #NewTransfer #AraratArmenia #ԱրարատԱրմենիա pic.twitter.com/enrO1xLUxo

— FC Ararat-Armenia (@araratarmeniafc) February 1, 2020