Magpies quoted £12m for Charles N'Zogbia

Guest Tue Jun 07, 2011 7:48 pm

NEWCASTLE United will have to spend a huge chunk of their summer transfer budget to bring Charles N’Zogbia back to St James’ Park after Wigan Athletic told them they want £12million for the winger.

Although the Latics will sell for £9m to a club playing in the Champions League next season, they have told other suitors – including Sunderland – that the price will be considerably more, as they believe those Premier League clubs are direct rivals in the bid to beat the drop.

Newcastle have been informed it will take them an extra £3m to persuade Wigan to part with their prize asset, even though the 25-year-old – sold by Newcastle for just £6m two-and-a-half years ago – has made it clear that he wants to leave the DW Stadium.

Should the Magpies land the winger it would make the France international the most expensive player signed by Mike Ashley, beating the £10.3m splashed out on Fabricio Coloccini in 2008.

Despite the age of austerity supposedly ushered in by Newcastle’s controversial owner, they have not been immediately put off by the size of the fee or the player’s wage demands which, The Journal understands, will start at £55,000-a-week.

That means their interest in Ivory Coast international Gervinho remains a watching brief, although he is still a more than attractive alternative.

Despite the fact fees of £12 and £15m have been quoted in France in recent days, Newcastle know the Lille star has an £8m release clause in his contract.

He remains a viable target, but reports that he has already agreed to sign for the Magpies appear to be premature, with claims that Arsenal are his preferred destination refusing to go away.

As things stand, N’Zogbia remains one of Magpies manager Alan Pardew’s main targets this window, joining L’Orient striker Kevin Gameiro at the top of their wanted list.