Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias is praying the “exquisite” Nabil Fekir doesn’t leave for the Premier League and Newcastle United in January, speaking to Marca.
After being heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park last year, it hasn’t taken long for the World Cup-winning France international to get himself reacquainted with life in the gossip columns.
According to Foot Mercato, Newcastle have made contact with Fekir’s representatives. The former Lyon captain is now in contention to become the first marquee signing of a bold new era on the banks of the Tyne.
Iglesias has benefited immensely from Fekir’s defence-splitting skills at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. And the centre-forward would be understandably disappointed to see his partner-in-chief depart.
Newcastle have been chasing Nabil Fekir for a long time
“Hopefully (Fekir will stay). I don’t know if (Betis) are negotiating a renewal or not but, if they reach an agreement (on a new contract), we’ll enjoy more years of Nabil,” Iglesias says of a man who completed a shock £17 million switch to Real Betis in 2019 after an ill-timed injury scuppered his chances of joining Liverpool.
“He’s that type of player. One you sit down to enjoy. He has that technical ability that surprises you.
“He surprises us in training with things very few can do. Nabil is one of the most exquisite players with whom I have shared a dressing room.”
Fekir guided Real Betis to sixth place in La Liga and Europa League qualification last season, with five goals and six assists.
But, at the age of 28, he’s not exactly the kind of young talent Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian owners appear to be prioritising. Transfer plans seem to be revolving around long-term additions rather than short-term fixes.
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