Sky Sports’ Keith Downie has confirmed Newcastle will pay a £850,000 loan fee to sign Nabil Bentaleb – also revealing that we’ll have the ‘option to buy’ for £8.5m this summer.
The midfielder arrived on Tyneside yesterday and is believed to have completed his medical ahead of a seemingly imminent move to St James’ Park.
Downie revealed earlier this morning that the deal should be announced later today, and the North-East reporter has added to that by revealing how much the former Spurs man will cost the club – both to sign on loan and on a permanent deal if we wish to pursue on this summer:
This seems like potentially brilliant business given how highly rated he was at Tottenham at one stage, his early form at Schalke and the fact he’s still just 25 with plenty Premier League experience.
Disciplinary issues have meant he’s yet to feature in the Bundesliga so far this season, being demoted to Schalke’s reserves by former Huddersfield boss David Wagner, but he’ll arrive on Tyneside with the bit between his teeth and ready to prove himself in England once again.
In a world where £15m doesn’t always buy you much, £8.5m for Bentaleb could be a real steal.
This lad is a talented footballer no doubt. But he can be huffy and high maintenance. It will be interesting to see how he fits into the squad.
If he gives his all he’s a very good player, and that’s all the fans ask – and if he does, he’ll love the fans getting behind him.
But he’s definitely one that could come with problems.
All that said, for the money, he’s a no brainer.
Bruce is a good man manager so hopefully gets the best out of him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Think Bruce’s more personal approach to man management could help him like you say.
He’s got ability and has the physical attributes to be ideal in the Premier League, so let’s hope he arrives fired up to make a real success of this!
Olly Hawkins(Quote)