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Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga has said he will continue to pursue a Premier League move, amid the apparent collapse of his proposed move to Newcastle.

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"I love the Premier League and want to play there," Maiga .

"Hopefully I will have another chance. My health is very good and my knees are strong."

Maiga added: "I wanted that move to Newcastle badly.

"However it did not happen as they said my knee has a problem, but I feel better than anything.

"There is a player at Newcastle now, Demba Ba - he was told at a Premier League medical that he had a knee problem, he then went to another and started scoring goals before his move to Newcastle."

The Mali international was linked with Newcastle during the summer transfer window and even went on strike in the summer in an attempt to persuade manager Mehmed Bazdarevic to sanction a move.

However the window closed without the clubs reaching an agreement, and since Maiga has made 11 league appearances for Sochaux, scoring four goals.

"I am strong in my head and up for it," he said. "I like Sochaux, but I am having a difficult time with the fans, they do not understand me."