Newcastle United have been linked with a move for French international Nabil Fekir, who does not want to join the Magpies.
According to a report from Estadio Deportivo, Newcastle United are keen on signing 2018 FIFA World Cup winner Nabil Fekir. But the 29-year-old French international has no intention of leaving Real Betis in the near future.
Newcastle United could certainly use some quality reinforcements during the January transfer window. And an attacking midfielder could transform them in the final third. Eddie Howe has quality strikers in Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak. Bringing in an accomplished playmaker could make life easy for the two frontmen.
Newcastle United have done quite well in the Premier League this season, and they are currently third in the league table. They will be hoping to challenge for the European qualification positions and secure Champions League football.
Eddie Howe has an impressive squad at his disposal. But there is no doubt that the Magpies will need to improve further in order to beat clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for a top-four finish. Fekir had thus emerged as a viable target.
Fekir could have been an outstanding big-money addition at Newcastle United. But the player is simply not keen on moving away from Spain right now. It will be interesting to see if Newcastle United decide to turn their attention towards other potential targets now.
The Premier League club have been linked with a move for James Maddison from Leicester City as well. The English playmaker has been in red-hot form for the Foxes and he could be a quality acquisition for Newcastle United.
As for Fekir, he has been a key player for Real Betis since joining the club and it is no surprise that he is willing to continue in Spain. The 29-year-old French international had the opportunity to move to the Premier League after the 2018 World Cup when he was heavily linked with Liverpool. But the move fell through in the end.
A move to Newcastle United could have been an exciting opportunity for the player. The Magpies have an ambitious project and the financial resources to put together a formidable squad in the upcoming windows. Newcastle could have helped the Frenchman challenge for trophies over the next few seasons.
