It’s been reported this weekend that Southampton and Newcastle United are battling it out for the services of Mainz striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Outlet L’Equipe via Sport Witness have claimed that we have now made a firm offer for the 21-year-old Frenchman but our opening gambit has been rejected.
It’s believed that having signed him from Lyon last summer for a 10million Euro fee, they are now holding out for between the 35-40million Euro mark, but I certainly don’t believe they’ll be looking for that kind of mark up unless they are truly adamant they don’t want to sell.
The report says that offers so far have been in the 20-25million, so as a quick 12 month turnaround 25-30million seems the right area and far more appropriate, even though the Under 21 international did have a good first year, scoring 14 times in the Bundesliga on the back of 29 starts and five substitute showings.
Given his age, it is a bit of a gamble, but transfers always are.
