After reports from Spain suggested a loan move had been made last night, Lee Ryder has confirmed that we are in talks to sign Gelson Martins on loan – claiming he could be available for just £4m at the end of the season.
Details of our loan bid were not disclosed by the Chronicle, despite Spanish reports claiming last night that a fee of £3.5-£4m could required by Atletico Madrid to take him for the remainder of the season.
Here’s a snippet from Lee Ryder’s piece for the Chronicle:
It is believed that the Magpies have indeed made an enquiry to bring in the 23-year-old until the end of the season after Rafa Benitez asked the club to put their cards on the table on the recruitment front.
Martins has struggled for game-time since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in the summer on a free transfer and could be available for £4million at the end of the season.
But both Arsenal and Everton have expressed an interest in the right winger meaning Newcastle face a fight for his signature.
Claims that Arsenal and Everton have ‘expressed an interest’ hardly fill me with hope, although it’s fair to say he may not be guaranteed first-team football if he joined either – and that is exactly what he’d be looking for after struggling for game time in Spain this season.
What doesn’t quite add up is talk that they’d demand such a high loan fee for a player barely playing (especially when he’s said to be available on the cheap in the summer), however a loan payment that doesn’t see Ashley commit to a long-term contract on a big wage may appeal to him.
I have my doubts with this one. Rafa appears to have great links with Atletico Madrid and it’s reported in Spain that the player is keen to come to England, but this is the sort of deal that could be easily hijacked if we don’t move quickly – and history suggests we do not.
won’t happen, not enough time to get him over the line.
john marshall(Quote)