Cabella's Newcastle move put on hold after Montpellier ask for a improved fee

Montpellier’s French playmaker Rémy Cabella’s proposed move to Newcastle United has hit a snag as the French club raised their asking price from £7m to £12m. Although there was no actual deal done in January, the move was agreed in principle with the Montpellier midfielder set to move in the summer. But, now both Pardew and Cabella face an anxious wait to see whether the player will be playing for the Tynesiders or not.

Alan Pardew sees the 24-year-old playmaker, who is in Didier Deschamps’ standy-list, as an ideal replacement for Yohan Cabaye, whom they sorely missed towards the end of last season. After a frustrating end to the season, owner Mike Ashley has promised to invest significantly this summer and the French attacking midfielder is one of Pardew’s prime targets. But with the recent rise in his price, Cabella’s future has been put in serious doubt, with Ashley not too keen paying over the odds for any player.

Having scored 14 times in his 41 appearances for Montpellier last season, the playmaker can provide a goal scoring as well. The versatile midfielder can play on either wings, just behind the central striker or even in a deeper playmaking role. The Magpies were hoping that the player who was extensively scouted by chief scout Graham Carr, would be the first of many this summer, but any deal will hinge on a compromise between the two clubs.