NEWCASTLE’S transfer row with teenage winger Yankuba Minteh has escalated with the club telling the Gambian international he will spend next season with the under 21’s if he insists on staying at St James’ Park.
SunSport revealed yesterday that Minteh is refusing to join Lyon despite Newcastle accepting a bid from the French club because of his desire to stay in the Premier League.
GettyYankuba Minteh is refusing to join Lyon[/caption]
GettyNewcastle have threatened to send Minteh to the Under-21s if he does not move[/caption]
Minteh wants to join Everton, who have held talks with his representatives, but have yet to agree a fee with Newcastle and are unlikely to do so this week.
Newcastle’s desire for a quick sale is fuelled by concerns they will be charged for breaching PSR rules if they don’t sell players by Sunday’s accounting deadline, which could lead to a points deduction.
Other possible player sales have failed to materalise this month leading to Newcastle accepting an offer that could reach £40m from Lyon for Minteh, which would resolve all their PSR issues.
Minteh is digging in however, despite being told that he does not currently feature in Eddie Howe‘s plans for next season.
SunSport has learned that the 19-year-old is currently visiting family in Gambia and has no plans to return to Europe, which given the need for medical a will make it difficult for a transfer to be concluded this week.
Minteh has never played for Newcastle as he was sent on loan to Feyenoord immediately after his £6.5m signing from Danish club Odense Boldklub last summer.
While Minteh does not feature in Howe’s plans for next season Newcastle sources indicated that the manager would look at him training if he remains at the club next month.
Minteh made 37 appearances for Feyenoord this season while on loan from the Magpies.
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Minteh spent last season on loan at Feyenoord
He also scored 11 goals and provided six assists.
The 19-year-old earned his first international cap for Gambia in September and has since made six appearances for the national team.