'Exclusive': Newcastle submit bid for Ligue 1 star - Offer in excess of €7M
According to an exclusive from French outlet Le10Sport, Newcastle have submitted an offer for Lille midfielder Thiago Maia.
The exact bid we've reportedly submitted is not disclosed, however Le10Sport claim that our offer is 'superior' to the €7M (£6.5m) bid lodged by Serie A side Genoa.
The 22-year-old Brazilian was heavily linked with a move to St James' Park last summer, making you wonder if he (like Willems, Joelinton and Saint-Maximin) is another player the club's scouting network have had lined up for a while.
It's claimed that he's yet to make a decision on his future after receiving interest from both clubs, with Lille having just qualified for the Champions League after a 2nd place finish in Ligue 1 last season.
It sound like an easy story to write given our past interest, but a young, talented midfielder who could be available on the cheap sounds like a Mike Ashley dream.
Should this one be true, it makes you wonder who might be leaving. Is Hayden's still exploring a potential exit route? Is Matty Longstaff heading out on loan? Is Colback and/or Saivet leaving? Or, are we just deciding to finally replace Mo Diame?
Time will tell, but there's not long left to do business now, with the window shutting in under 72 hours.
