Newly-signed Schalke defender Hamza Mendyl has confirmed that he was in talks with Newcastle United over a summer switch from Ligue 1 side Lille.
Mendyl, a 20-year-old left-back, was on the Magpies’ radar over the summer, and the youngster has now confirmed that he was in talks with both Newcastle and Arsenal.
The Morocco international eventually joined up with Bundesliga side Schalke after encountering work permit issues, but the left-sided flyer did admit that he was confident would be playing in England this season.
Talking to German outlet Kicker, Mendyl said: “True, I’ve been in talks with Arsenal FC and Newcastle United, but being a Moroccan citizen it’s not so easy to get a work permit there. I would have thought I’d be playing in England.”
OPINION
It is a massive shame for Newcastle that they were in talks with Mendyl but failed to follow through. Work permit problems are an issue which trouble many foreign players, and the process was obviously set to be a tough one for the club and the player. Possibly if the club had started discussions earlier then a solution could have been reached, but the Magpies turbulent summer means that was never going to happen. Mendyl does seem disappointed by his failed move to the Premier League, and that is another shame for the Toon, who have lost out on a talented young player who was keen to prove himself in England. Newcastle badly need cover at full-back as well, and Mendyl would have provided real quality and huge potential on the left hand side of defence. As it is, he ended up at Schalke, and the youngster will no doubt impress for the Bundesliga side, who are looking to improve on their impressive showing last season.
