Newcastle United failed with a bid for Brais Mendez only a few months ago with the Spain international potentially on his way to Premier League rivals Southampton or Norwich City, AS claims.
At the end of January, following a 2-1 home loss to Leeds United, Steve Bruce’s side was hurtling towards the drop zone at breakneck speed, five successive defeats raising fears of a third relegation during the Mike Ashley era.
An absence of anything resembling creativity – a problem exacerbated by Allan Saint-Maximin’s injury issues – continued to hold Newcastle back too.
So perhaps that’s why the Magpies made a move for Brais Mendez, an elegant left-winger who has probably just enjoyed the finest season of his career in La Liga.
Southampton may swoop after Newcastle made ‘succulent’ offer for Mendez
According to AS, Newcastle made a “succulent” offer for the one-capped forward five months ago.
El Desmarque backs up those claims, reporting the Tyneside giants were prepared to pay big for Mendez.
Celta Vigo had no interest in selling their home-grown hero, however, and their hard-line stance was rewarded by an impressive tally of nine goals in 34 games from a man who can consider himself unfortunate to have missed out on Luis Enrique’s Euro 2020 squad.
So Norwich and Southampton be warned. Convincing Celta to cash in on Mendez won’t be easy.
Earlier this week, Tuttomercatoweb reported that one of the most underrated forwards in Spanish football is a summer target for both Ralph Hasenhuttl and Daniel Farke.
As Newcastle discovered in January, however, Celta won’t be pushed around.
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