NUFC submit '£20m bid' for striker - but it's 'well below' club's asking price - L’Equipe
According to L'Equipe, Newcastle United have now made a bid in the region of £20m for Jean-Philippe Mateta - but the offer comes in 'well below' FSV Mainz's asking price.
With the French outlet claiming that Mainz are demanding £35m for the French U-21 international - £15m more than we've offered - you can't help but feel this sounds like an absolute Mike Ashley classic.
Mateta - a 22-year-old, 6ft 3' striker - has just enjoyed an impressive season in Germany, bagging 15 goals and 3 assists in 36 games for Mainz.
Time will tell if there's any truth in these claims, but it would be just like us to offer £15m less than the asking price set - and just like us to chase a talented but largely unproven young striker after turning our noses up at a £16.5m deal for Salomon Rondon.
It seems it's one rule for Ashley and another rule for others, with the NUFC owner calling anyone coming in with low-ball offers a 'time-waster' - yet he's the master of it when it comes to purchasing.
