Rafa Benitez 'holds talks' with midfielder as NUFC attempt to pull off incredible bargain - Report
After claims last night that we had registered our interest in signing Clement Grenier, GFFN claim that the French midfielder has now held talks with Rafa Benitez over a potential cut-price move to St James' Park.
The 27-year-old is a player we've tried to sign in the past (bids were made back in 2014 in our attempt to replace Yohan Cabaye), and L'Equipe reported just yesterday that we were one of several clubs interested in signing him at a bargain price of just €3m (£2.65m).
Get French Football News (GFFN) have now picked up on the story and claim that the player has held talks with several managers from the interested parties - and one of those is Rafa Benitez.
It looks like we may face stiff competition from the likes of AC Milan, Fenerbahce, Fulham and Everton, but our chances of signing him may be boosted slightly after claims here that he's interested in a move to the Premier League.
Here's a snippet from GFFN's latest update on the French international midfielder's next move:
"French central midfielder Clément Grenier is in talks with an enormous amount of clubs, with a gentleman’s agreement in place between him and his club EA Guingamp that allows him to leave for €3m this summer.
"Everton, Newcastle, Fulham, AC Milan, Rennes and Fenerbahce are all in active discussions to sign the player, according to L’Équipe.
"Of these sides, Grenier has spoken to the managers all of these sides apart from Philip Cocu of Fenerbahce, but has spoken with Sporting Director Comolli instead.
"Grenier would like to move to a side that is offering European football, but he does have an interest in an adventure in the Premier League.
"The Frenchman has decided that he would like to resolve his future by the middle of July."
He's had his injury problems over the years so this would be a risk, but this is a player with bundles of talent, a classy operator and someone who could be a more than capable Mikel Merino replacement.
I'm not holding my breath given the amount of clubs interested and the snails pace we tend to do business at, but for just £2.65m, maybe this is the sort of bargain deal Mike Ashley would actually sanction.
Time will tell - although it's about time we started making some signings.
