Newcastle United’s large band of Frenchman on Tyneside has just lost its leading man.
Midfielder Yohan Cabaye, 28, has joined reigning French Ligue 1 Champions Paris Saint-Germain on a three-and-a-half-year deal until June 2017 after a fee worth up to $30 million was reluctantly accepted by Premier League side Newcastle.
Cabaye has been in sensational form in recent weeks for the Magpies, as Alan Pardew’s side continued their climb up the table and are well placed to make an assault on the top six this season. But they’ll have to do it without the man they so often rely on to come up with the goods.
In a release from PSG, Cabaye revealed his delighted at the move as he heads home to France.
Newcastle signed Cabaye from French side Lille in 2011 for just $6.8 million, so they’ve made a whopping profit on the deal. But many believe you couldn’t put a pricetag on the importance he has for Newcastle, as his stunning set-piece deliveries and increased number of goals (7) from midfield have proved time and time again in the 2013-14 campaign.
Turns out every player has his price. PSG’s offer was too good to turn down.
After angering Newcastle’s fans at the start of the season when he refused to play following a transfer bid from Arsenal of $15.5 million was rejected, Cabaye has played his way back into Newcastle’s good books after apologizing for the spat. Following seven goals in 19 games this season, the Frenchman has kicked on from his previous two campaigns in the PL and looks to be a shoe-in for France’s World Cup squad this summer.
(MORE: Newcastle launch bid for Grenier; Life goes on without Cabaye)
A player of Cabaye’s quality deserves to be playing for a side that’s challenging for trophies and competing in the Champions League, and as good a season as Newcastle are having, they aren’t about to be challenging Europe’s elite anytime soon.
Like Manchester United’s deal for Juan Mata, this made sense for just about everyone. Cabaye gets to play for the reigning champions in his homeland and in the Champions League, while Newcastle get a handsome profit on their initial outlay almost three years ago. With Cheick Tiote and Vernon Anita in midfield, the Magpies should be okay for the rest of the season following the departure of Cabaye.
But don’t be surprised if Pardew splashes some cash late in the window, or this summer, to replace the silky Frenchman Newcastle have just lost.
Whoever comes in has a huge hole to fill.