Mixed news from coming France today on the Newcastle United front, with reports that we are set to miss out on Lille-bound Nicolas Pepe, but have entered the race to sign Lyon captain Maxime Gonalons.
Lille have reached an agreement with Angers for Nicolas Pépé worth €8m rising to €12m; player wants to join them https://t.co/C39UWyMYDB
— Get French Football (@GFFN) June 16, 2017
Starting with widely reported NUFC target Nicolas Pepe, reports in France today claim that the Ivory Coast winger looks set to sign for Lille after an agreement has been struck between the Ligue 1 sides. It is believed that Watford and Newcastle both made bids of €13m and €10m, respectively, but the 22-year-old has decided he was ‘not ready to make the move England just yet’.
Pepe has been described as a talent in France, but the word ‘raw’ has been mentioned by some French journalist, and with just 3 goals in 40 games for Angers, he does not look the sort of proven winger we require in the Premier League next season.
#NUFC have "positioned themselves" for Lyon's Maxime Gonalons, a player Rafa was a fan of at Napoli. [L'Equipe] pic.twitter.com/2uUWQKmLmx
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) June 16, 2017
According to the often reliable french paper ‘L’Equipe‘, Newcastle have made an initial inquiry about the availability of Lyon defensive midfielder Maxime Gonalons,
The 28-year-old Lyon captain could be set for a move from the French giants this summer after recently falling out with the club’s owner, and Rafa Benitez is said to be a fan, having tracked him during his time at Napoli.
He is believed to be available for as little as £4.5m this summer and is being considered alongside Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva in order to add some steel to our midfield this summer.
