Newcastle United look to have called off their pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion winger Anthony Knockaert with manager Rafa Benitez telling BBC Radio Newcastle that the signing would “not be easy” and that it maybe time to “move on” to other targets.
The Magpies are believed to have bid £8million for the Frenchman but the Seagulls rejected the offer as they are holding out for their £10million valuation of the player. Benitez told the BBC (quotes via the Shields Gazette):
“We know that will not be easy. “It will be tough to convince them. Normally, you try (to sign a player), and if you cannot, you move on.”
Knockeart only moved from Standard Liege to the South Coast in January for £2.5million but he played a key role in Brighton’s Championship promotion push, scoring 5 goals in 19 league games as the Seagull’s missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference. Brighton’s chairman Tony Bloom is not short of money himself and the the Championship side were on the verge of signing Alex Pritchard for £8million before he signed for Norwich City after Canaries made a last minute bid.
