Grenier Rejects NUFC: Agent Indicates He Wanted A Higher Fee

Clement Grenier's agent Frederic Guerra has told Le10 Sport why the player has turned down a move to Newcastle United and the Premier League. Guerra called the move "unsafe" and seemed to suggest that the fact a sale would be twice as cheap as the money Newcastle made on Yohan Cabaye was a large contributing factor. It appears Guerra is suggesting he isn't happy his player isn't rated anywhere near as highly as Cabaye was. He said;

"It is not easy to say no to a big club like Newcastle, but Clement has finally decided to stay in Lyon . Today, with the new system developed by Rémi Garde, Clement is now able to demonstrate that he has a bigger side to his game, he proves it in the matches.

Six months before the World Cup, a move a few days from the end of the transfer window was a good option? It's not safe at all. And Lyon is regaining form and Clement did not want to leave the club along the way, during a season.

Finally, the conditions of his departure did not create a favourable environment to flourish. Clement would have arrived at Newcastle, not as Clement Grenier, but as replacing Yohan Cabaye. I have the utmost respect for the quality of Cabaye as a player, who deserves everything which is happening. However, as an agent of Clement Grenier, I also have to think: Is Clement really worth twice cheaper than Yohan Cabaye ? Beyond all the reasons that led us to decline the offer of Newcastle, the conditions of the deal did not seem fair to me vis-à-vis Clement."

Newcastle were reported to have lodged a "significant bid" for the 23 year old.