Newcastle United want to bring Real Betis midfielder Nabil Fekir to the Premier League this summer, according to reports.
The Lowdown: Previous contact made
Eddie Howe has reportedly made a new central signing a priority in the upcoming window and it appears that the 29-year-old has been identified as an ideal candidate.
The Frenchman’s contract in La Liga isn’t set to expire until 2026, but being Manuel Pellegrini’s side’s fourth best-performing offensive player, keeping hold of him will be virtually impossible.
The Magpies made contact regarding a move last July and were considering following up with an official offer, but despite a deal failing to materialise, they are now taking another bite of the cherry.
The Latest: Newcastle eyeing Fekir
According to Spanish reports (via Sport Witness), Newcastle and Leicester are both ‘in the picture’ to sign Fekir ahead of the 2023/24 season.
PIF ‘want’ to land their target the second time around and are set to ‘make one last attempt to close’ a deal at the end of the term.
Real Betis are ‘open’ to letting him go and have set a price tag of €30m (£26m), a fee which would ‘not be difficult’ for the northeast outfit to meet.
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The Verdict: Absolute bargain
Fekir has been dubbed a ‘legend’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig and Newcastle should splash the cash to secure his services this summer.
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The Puma-sponsored star has scored six goals and provided three assists across all competitions this campaign where he’s currently averaging 1.5 key passes per league game.
The left-footed maestro also ranks in the 96th percentile for most shot-creating actions, highlighting his desire to contribute in the final third.
Should Newcastle be able to successfully sign Fekir for just £26m, it would be an absolute bargain for a player of his talent and calibre.