Newcastle ready to hijack Arsenal bid for La Liga star

FT Desk

• 5 Nov 2022 15:21 CDT
• 3 min read

Newcastle have been relatively temperate in the transfer market since becoming the world's richest club in 2021, but that could be about to change.

The Toon were bought by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in October 2021, a body that boasts more than €620 billion in assets, but it has been a process of evolution not revolution at St James' Park since.

Whilst the Magpies did spend €136 million in the most recent transfer window, the competition for the signatures of Alexander Isak and Sven Botman was perhaps surprisingly low, even if AC Milan were credited with an interest in the latter.

READ: Why Newcastle hold an advantage over Chelsea and Arsenal for January target

But they haven't really beaten a potential top six rival to a player. Whilst they remain confident of persuading Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo to join them ahead of Arsenal - he and manager Eddie Howe share the same agent - another long-standing Gunners target is now being lined up.

— Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) October 8, 2020

Nabil Fekir has been on Arsenal's radar for some time, and there were a few eyebrows raised when he left Lyon for Real Betis in a €29.75m deal in July 2019. Mikel Arteta is still looking for an attacking midfielder to add to his Premier League-leading squad, but Newcastle could steal in for Fekir.

€45 million bid

"After trying unsuccessfully last summer, Newcastle are preparing an offer of €45 million to convince Nabil Fekir to try his luck in a Premier League," report Fichajes. "Other clubs such as West Ham or Arsenal are also alert to the French midfielder's possible departure.

READ: 'It was a dark moment' - Fekir reflects on failed Liverpool move

"Despite renewing his contract with Betis, he doesn't rule out a change of scene next summer."

Fekir has 25 goals and as many assists in 128 games with Betis, and won the Copa del Rey with the Seville club in April, but only five of his 25 France caps have come in the three years since he made the move to Spain.