There are reports in France coming from Foot Mercato that Newcastle have made a £12M bid for top Monaco center-back Aymen Abdennour, but Newcastle were reported to have approached his agent back in April and were turned away at that time, saying they were not interested.
Well at least that was the report.
Aymen Abdennour – 25 year-old 6’2″ Monaco center-back
The other thing that seems strange about this bid is that the player himself has made it clear he would only join a club that plays in the Champions League if he were to leave Monaco, which seems reasonable for the 33 times capped Tunisian International.
He’s only been at Monaco 18 months, and in January 2014, Abdennour joined Monaco from Toulouse on a loan deal, and last summer signed a four-year deal with Monaco, which was extended a year earlier this year.
There are a number of top clubs trailing the impressive player, who had a great season at Monaco last year.
His agents are Henry Hennig Sports and in late May and one of their reps had this to say about the clubs interested in him:
“There are clubs like Valencia, Newcastle, Tottenham, Inter Milan and Wolfsburg who have been calling. Yes we have concrete proposals from these clubs.”
“They are really very interested in Aymen. They are looking to find out for how much? How? And this isn’t finished in my view.”
“Bayern Munich has a big interest in him. Even the great Barca have an eye on Abdennour.” “With their recruitment ban, they will play the recruits until January. Abdennour really fits into their plans for the future.”
“Even Juventus has a huge interest in a player like him. Suddenly, the other Italian clubs also grow their interest.”
That was a good attempt to start a bidding war for their client.
We don’t think Newcastle have any chance of signing this player – even though he would be a great signing – because bigger clubs than Newcastle are very interested in signing him.
That’s if he should leave Monaco – who finished in 3rd place in the French league last year, behind Lyon and Champions PSG.
So if he stays at Monaco he will have Champions League football next season, but it’s interesting, if this report is true, that Newcastle may be the first club to put in a bid.
There’s nothing wrong with that.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
NUFC News 24/7 
200 comments so far
croftus5678
Jun 25, 2015 at 6:45 PM
Comment #1this is a cb !
what we imo should be going for !…..we have no hope mind you but if you dont try you dont get i suppose 😉
Graeme
Jun 25, 2015 at 6:48 PM
Comment #2Do you think the would accept Willo plus, say, £5 million??
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 25, 2015 at 6:49 PM
Comment #3Croftus
I agree whole heartedly, just the kind cb we need
the white tino
Jun 25, 2015 at 6:51 PM
Comment #4Off to see ac/dc in Glasgow this weekend will try and have a word with Brian Johnson see if he can get a consortium together to buy the fat slug out HWTF / HWTL
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 6:53 PM
Comment #5Right then, we’ve nearly got Ian Catheter in. Who’s next?
optimistic prime
Jun 25, 2015 at 6:55 PM
Comment #6G2
Don’t take the pi55
will die for the toon army
Jun 25, 2015 at 6:55 PM
Comment #7I dont he will come. He wants a big club. Inler Grenier Lazzatte kind of player. Wont risk coming to us.
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 25, 2015 at 6:56 PM
Comment #8G2
Ian Catheter doesn’t he take the piss?
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 6:56 PM
Comment #9I hear Pilkington PillPoppers are going belly up. They must have other decent players. Minge was an absolute steal. They’re more in our price range and they don’t chuckle and guffaw when we approach them. How rude!!!
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 6:57 PM
Comment #10You lot are taking the piss! Harrumph.
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 6:58 PM
Comment #11Let’s give Catheter a chance! We were more than fair with Percy and his gang of idiots. Welcome Ian!!!
mickalfas
Jun 25, 2015 at 6:59 PM
Comment #12Graeme
Possibly Willo plus £15m !!
ToonFromLeeds
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:00 PM
Comment #13mickalfas
failing that can they just take willow?
lochinvar
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:01 PM
Comment #14Fidel Cathro!
Long live the revolution.
Get him into a beret and the poster and merchandising opportunities are endless . Will make Cabella and the French and Spanish lads feel at home.
LOL
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:02 PM
Comment #15You greedy lot!!! We already have 2 1/2 CB’s and you want more. Well…. hmmmm jpossibly we only have 1 3/4 CB’s but still!!! In other areas we’re down to actual fractions! We have 1/2 a winger, 1/3 of a striker. Now, those are priority areas. The nerve, asking for a CB. Harrumph.
bladeuser
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:03 PM
Comment #16The bindippers r in the process of signing there sixth player
nufc have got an assistant for the wally with the brolly liverpool r on a different planet to our sorry excuse for a club
anybody who buys a season ticket wants there head read we r attempting to sign players who dont want to know and young players like t mings signs for bournemouth of all clubs
what a sad little rotten club we r
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:05 PM
Comment #17Beaten in the transfer market by Bournemouth LLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:06 PM
Comment #18But we train well bladeuser mate. We train very well. We run, we jump, we frolic. We are the future of the modern English game. Harrumph.
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:06 PM
Comment #19As for this bid – in the words of Victor Meldrew – “I dont believe it!”
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:06 PM
Comment #20I really doubt this is true, but IF it is, then it’s definitely a step in the right direction!
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:06 PM
Comment #21and for our transfer strategy I refer you to the great Abe Lincoln – “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”
Mr Magpie
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:07 PM
Comment #22Graeme
I know your joking as I think we all know that Monaco won’t take our unwanted players & cash for a player.
However it’s a good point you make & i wonder if some other club without Monaco’s financial resources might take some of our unwanted players in exchange for one of their players we want.
It might possibly be the only way that we are able to get rid of some of the deadwood out of the club club.
mickalfas
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:08 PM
Comment #23Yes but we are not in a position of being able to compete with ————
Just add whoever!!
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:09 PM
Comment #24You lot clearly don’t understand wor topnotch transfer policy. Bindippers, pah I say! Pah! What have they ever done? What have they ever won? Now look at us…. Mike has guaranteed silverware for us. And we have Lee as well. I can feel us building momentum now. Oh….. no, I just need a quick trip to the bog. Hang on lads…..
YoungMagpieFromBurnley
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:12 PM
Comment #25This type of signing sends the right message, however with a player of this ilk I would understand if we couldn’t get him over the line.
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:12 PM
Comment #26I’m perfectly willing to step in as Left Sided Armchair Coach. Just bring me a whistle and some refreshment every 15 minutes. That’s all I ask.
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:13 PM
Comment #27We don’t take players with ilk YMFB mate. Minge yes, ilk no.
mickalfas
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:13 PM
Comment #28Is it at all possible that we are rumoured to make bids on players who have absolutely no intention of coming here ,to boost season ticket sales ,and raising the hopes of fans
Or am I cynical ,I don’t know what to think anymore ,helllppp!!!
cyprus
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:17 PM
Comment #29All our bids are like over 12 mil. The new heavy hitters in the park. Only join if you want to take us to CL. Otherwise, sod off.
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:17 PM
Comment #30No, that’s not being cynical mickalfas mate. Pretending to be after good players is a long standing Ashley policy.
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:18 PM
Comment #31Remember you lot, the helicopter is fuelled up and ready to go!!!!
cyprus
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:19 PM
Comment #32G2,
once again spreading your coaching credentials? Could you as well as JC though
cyprus
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:19 PM
Comment #33do as well
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:20 PM
Comment #34Do I have to come up with all the good training ideas though cyprus mate? Cheetah training, utility players, massive underspending etc. etc.
croftus5678
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:22 PM
Comment #35i wouldnt give williamson to my worse enemy !
best we just shoot him and bury him under the patio and have done with it 😉
ner tbf he’d do well as cb for a under 9’s team.
BlacknWhiteBarmy
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:23 PM
Comment #36the way I see it next season has two outcomes:
1) empty stadiums and the slug leaves during the season as no more cash coming and his brand is being damaged or
2) Fans attend , another shocking season ending in relegation – slug leaves -see above…..
So unless some big signings are made I uggest route 1 – no gain without pain
cyprus
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:23 PM
Comment #37I have high hopes in our new young coaching team. Now we need an even younger addition. A 12 year old coach would empathise with our younger prospects and help bring the through. Not sure if we’d be braking any laws in hiring him. Wasn’t Messi hired at like 9?
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:24 PM
Comment #38Have you lot ever been chased by a cheetah with a pork chop strapped to your withers? The pace you can develop is tremendous.
GeordieTwo
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:26 PM
Comment #39That’s the type of vigorous activity I plan for the lads when I’m finally hired as Left Sided Armchair Coach. I will need a beach umbrella for the hot weather as well of course.
croftus5678
Jun 25, 2015 at 7:26 PM
Comment #40@38 g2
well….if beating up dead cows worked for rocky its worth a try buddy.