Newcastle United have made a new push to sign Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile – but their latest offer has been rejected.
That’s according to French newspaper L’Equipe, who claim that Newcastle offered €40million (£33million) for Badiashile in ‘recent hours’.
It’s claimed that talks between Newcastle and Monaco have been locked up for ten days, but the big cash offer did nothing to tempt Monaco.
The offer is thought to have fallen short of expectations and Monaco are demanding much more money.
Add in that Badiashile allegedly isn’t prioritising a January move, and Newcastle’s push for the Frenchman may be fruitless.
These aren’t the only problems either. Badiashile is also out injured right now and isn’t expected to be back for at least a few weeks.
Newcastle need players who can help them right now, and there are reasonable fears over Badiashile’s availability even if he joins.
Newcastle are absolutely desperate to bring in new centre backs, with Sven Botman and Diego Carlos the main names linked.
Badiashile is another though, with Newcastle unsurprisingly attracted to the defender branded ‘the new Raphael Varane’.
Tall, physical and a fine passer out from the back, Badiashile fits the left-footed mould that Eddie Howe is so desperate to add at Newcastle.
At just 20, Badiashile is primarily one for the future, but you have to feel that he would also be an immediate upgrade to the Newcastle defence.
How high do Newcastle go though? £33million is already a very appealing offer, and Monaco seemingly want much more.
This is the problem Newcastle have. Teams know they have money thanks to PIF and will hike up their asking prices.
Should Newcastle go to £40million, £50million for Badiashile? If they really think he can live up to those Varane comparisons, it might just be worth it.
Any higher than that though and Newcastle simply have to bow out and target defenders elsewhere.
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