Magpies boss wary of PSG’s big money lure.
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Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has finally admitted that star player Yohann Cabay could quit the club in favour of “wealthy and powerful” Paris Saint Germain, according to the Daily Mirror.
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The defending Ligue 1 champions sent director of sport Olivier Letang to the Northeast on Sunday to attempt to negotiate a £20m move for the player.
However, Pardew claimed that the France international was worth way more than the initial £14m the Parisian giants had initially offered, and claimed that by driving the price up the club are only protecting themselves.
Pardew also insisted that a replacement must be signed before they even consider letting him leave and wants to bring a new striker before the window slams shut at the weekend.
“Cabaye bid? We know we have a club interested in Cabaye who is wealthy and powerful and we are doing our best to protect Newcastle,” Pardew said.
“Is he worth more than £14million? For sure. He has a great role here. Taking him out at this time will leave us vulnerable.
“Players can turn around and say they want Champions League, and we have not got that. You have got to give them some hope. That is the position we need to get into this year or beyond.
“We would need to bring someone in for sure.
“The Andy Carroll (transfer for £35m three years ago) had less mileage than this one. It happened quicker. We never expected to see the back of him. This had more mileage than that because of the size of the club and the finance behind them.
“We will need time to get a replacement. We are conscious of that. We have informed the club and the agent about that. It has to be the right price for everyone.
“Yohan is preparing to play against Norwich. I expect him to play. There will be conversations about what happens next after that. These conversations are above me.
“I have a terrific relationship with Yohan. I want nothing to spoil that. He has taken to, and improved in the position I gave him, the No. 10 role, this season.”
Pardew is confident he has one player lined up to arrive. He added: “We are hoping to sign a player outside the Cabaye situation. We are getting closer to that on the positive side.”