Thursday, 5th January, 2012
Newcastle United have made an offer for Dijon midfielder Benjamin Corgnet despite the French club having declared the 24-year-old unavailable for transfer.
Corgnet has been interesting Ligue 1 giants Lyon, who were also warned off making an approach, however Les Gones have to raise money in the January transfer window before being able to commit to any new signings.
Newcastle then would be firmly in pole position if Dijon had a change of heart in the current window, although a summer move is more likely, with Les Rouges continuing to want to keep hold of the schemer until the end of the current campaign, but then being ready to allow a switch.
"He stays", Dijon coach Patrice Carteron told French radio station RMC.
"We had a direct approach from Newcastle, but Benjamin is in the same boat as us and we want him to continue to grow and to play for a full season in Ligue 1.
"At the end of the season, of course we’ll let him go, it will be good for him to find stability at a high level.
"Newcastle’s offer was very high."
Corgnet only signed for Dijon from French amateur outfit Monts d’Or Azergues in 2010, after playing in the country’s fifth tier.
Dijon are believed to be looking for around €8M for the midfielder.
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