Newcastle United reportedly hoping to reduce Nabil Bentaleb transfer fee

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Newcastle United may be in the midst of takeover talk, but their potential first signing under new ownership could now be in doubt. 

Nabil Bentaleb is currently on loan at St James’ Park from Bundesliga side Schalke. As reported by The Chronicle, Newcastle have an £8.5 million buying fee already included in that deal and Steve Bruce is already of the belief that the Algerian should be signed permanently. 

However, despite the potential incoming of major wealth at Newcastle United from a Saudi backed consortium, there appears to be some haggling going on. 

SportBild is reporting that Newcastle would like to renegotiate that price-tag in light of the current global financial crisis caused by the worldwide health crisis. 

That has opened the door for other interested parties. The report claims cash-rich sides from China, Russia and, ironically, Saudi Arabia have now shown an interest in the midfield general. 

It could be that any takeover at Newcastle United could end these issues, with the club potentially in a more secure financial position to pay the initially agreed £8.5 million fee. 

However, despite Bruce’s desire to keep Bentaleb at the club, it seems that some dilly-daddling might allow other interested parties to throw their hat in the ring for the 25-year-old star.