Clement Grenier turns down Newcastle over fears of being perceived as a ‘poor man’s Yohan Cabaye’
Newcastle look like missing out on Clement Grenier, after his agent was unhappy that they were only prepared to shell out half of the transfer fee they received for Yohan Cabaye.
The Lyon midfielder, 23, was being lined up to replace Cabaye, who joined PSG for £19million, but Grenier’s agent advised his client to turn his back on a move to the Magpies due to fears he would be perceived as a cheap alternative, which could be detrimental to his World Cup chances.
Agent Frederic Guerra told French sport website Le 10 Sport: ‘It’s not easy to say no to a big club like Newcastle, but with Clement we have finally decided to stay at Lyon.
‘Six months out from the World Cup, is a hasty departure just days before the end of the transfer market a good option? It’s not a certainty.
‘Lyon are starting to find their true colours and Clement didn’t want to leave the club during the season.
‘The conditions of his departure weren’t creating a favourable context for his development. Clement would be arriving at Newcastle not as Clement Grenier but as a replacement for Yohan Cabaye.
‘I have the greatest respect for the quality of player that Cabaye is, deserving of everything that is said about him. However, as Clement Grenier’s agent I am obliged to say: is Clement worth just half what Yohan Cabaye is?
‘Above all the reasons which have led us to decline the offer from Newcastle, the conditions of the deal didn’t seem fair to Clement.’
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