Newcastle United have seen a £7million bid for Rennes left back Faitout Maouassa rejected, according to L’Equipe.
The French publication claims that the Magpies hold an interest in the versatile 20-year-old, and went so far as to submit an official bid for the player.
The Frenchman, who can play at left midfield as well as at the back, is currently on loan at Ligue 1 outfit Nimes, where he has made 11 appearances in all competitions this season.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez does need reinforcements at left back, with Paul Dummett the only recognised player at the position in the first team squad.
OPINION
This is an encouraging step in the right direction for the Magpies. It’s been clear all season that the team is overly reliant on Dummet – not exactly a world beater himself – and that was demonstrated earlier this campaign when the Wales international went down injured on international duty. Benitez was forced to change formation at the back and play a right back on the left hand side of the defence. That sort of solution is not practical long term and so the club needed to act this month. Obviously their opening gambit was turned down, here, but they’ve opened a dialogue with Rennes and there’s nothing to suggest that they won’t eventually get their man. Maouassa obviously doesn’t feature in Rennes’ plans at the moment, so perhaps they could be persuaded to let him go. However, if he becomes too pricey then Newcastle need to move on quickly because this is a hole that needs to be filled as quickly as possible.
