Ligue 1 club Lille are obliged to sell Newcastle United target Thiago Maia for between £53million and £70million this summer, according to La Voix du Nord.
The Lille-based newspaper report that the club are still under the supervision of the DNCG, an organisation responsible for monitoring the finances of French football clubs, following big money trouble.
La Voix du Nord claim that means the club will have to sell Maia if a bid comes in above the £53million mark this summer as they look to balance the books.
It is said that Newcastle have already submitted a bid for the 21-year-old Brazilian, who is said to be very interested in a move to St. James’ Park.
OPINION
Maia is undoubtedly a promising young player, but the figures quoted here are ridiculous and no club in their right mind would submit such an offer for the Brazilian. However, these are only the fees at which Lille would be forced into selling Maia by the DNCG, and the Ligue 1 club would certainly sell up for far less. Whether that more realistic fee is within Newcastle’s price range is unknown, but the Magpies’ first bid was seemingly a way away from Lille’s valuation. It is yet to be seen how serious Newcastle’s interest in Maia is, but there is definitely scope for an improved bid here. The young Brazilian is said to be very keen on a move to the Premier League, and if Newcastle manage to put together a decent bid, then this move could be on this summer. Maia is still relatively unproven, but the 21-year-old has vast potential, and Rafa Benitez could well work wonders with him on Tyneside.
