Newcastle United had hoped Daniel Sturridge could become a permanent signing beyond this season before he defected to West Brom.
The Magpies were expecting the Liverpool striker to travel to the North East Monday lunchtime before undergoing a medical and joining on loan until the end of the campaign.
However, Rafa Benitez and the club’s hierarchy were left furious when news reached them that Sturridge had decided to sign for Alan Pardew’s West Brom, his representatives citing ‘geographical reasons’ for his change of heart. Sturridge’s family are based in the Midlands.
Sources have told us that Newcastle believed the deal - which included paying a £1.