NEWCASTLE HAVE TURNED down Arsenal’s £12 million bid for French midfielder Yohan Cabaye, according to reports.
Cabaye has been targeted by Arsene Wenger as the Arsenal manager looks to bolster his injury-hit squad after Saturday’s dismal 3-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign.
Angry Arsenal fans chanted for Wenger to splash the cash at the final whistle after the Frenchman failed to make a marquee signing during the close-season.
But Wenger’s offer for Cabaye is reported to have fallen well short of Newcastle’s valuation and Magpies boss Alan Pardew has no intention of losing the former Lille player on the cheap.
Wenger, who has only eight fit senior players ahead of Wednesday’s crucial Champions League play-off first leg at Fenerbahce, is also planning to make a combined £35 million bid for Swansea striker Michu and his team-mate Wales defender Ashley Williams, according to the London Evening Standard.
Meanwhile, Cabaye, who is said to be valued at around £20 million by Newcastle, was left out of the Newcastle squad for their 4-0 defeat at Manchester City this evening.
The 27-year-old has made 73 appearances for Newcastle since joining from Lille in 2011 and has become a firm fan favourite.
But Pardew felt the timing of the bid may have unsettled the midfielder.
“On the eve of the game we have received a bid for the player which we deem unacceptable,” Pardew told Sky Sports.
“I have to pick what I think is a team to get us a result.
“The rights and wrongs of it (the bid) other people can have an opinion on. I know what my opinion is.
“I know this is the main focus for the media. My focus is on trying to get a result.”
