The Magpies were linked with a deadline day move for Reims star Patrick Zabi
The Newcastle United club badge
Newcastle United kept their powder dry in January(Image: Getty Images)
View Image
Newcastle United's hopes of signing French midfielder Patrick Zabi in the summer transfer window have been dashed, with the 19-year-old agreeing a €25m move to Ligue 1 side Paris FC.
The Magpies were credited with interest in the 19-year-old late on transfer deadline day, but while a move in the winter window was not on the cards, Newcastle were thought to be weighing up a summer move.
Several Premier League sides, including Manchester United, were believed to be watching the central midfielder, who has caught the eye in France this season.
While the move has not been officially confirmed, French media outlet L'Equipe report that a deal has been agreed which will seem Zabi swap Reims for Paris in the summer.
Both Milan clubs and Serie A rivals Fiorentina were also said to be chasing the Ivory Coast midfielder, who has scored two goals for Reims this term.
He has featured 21 times for Karel Geraerts' side as they look to win promotion from Ligue 2 - they are currently second behind leaders Troyes.
Newcastle opted not to spend in the January transfer window, with plans now in place for the summer, when Eddie Howe hopes they will be able to invest in the squad.
Speaking ahead of tonight's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Manchester City, Howe said: "Financially, it wasn't possible, as I said at the start of the window.
"There were players we were looking at for the future, younger players we could develop. Ultimately, it didn't happen. I didn't think there was a player coming in that could affect us.
"Every decision we make has a long-term implication. There is no guarantee signing somebody with the funds we had would help us short-term anyway.
"It is what it is and we are used to working in these conditions now. We have only been active in one window out of the last four or five.
"We are under financial restrictions. We have to be smart and decided to wait until the summer. The decision is that the summer window is a lot easier to recruit. There are more players are available and better value for money.
"We had a limited amount of money to use in this window and were the right players available to help us in the short-term? Those options weren't available to us, we can't sign players that don't exist, we have to sign players and we have to work under the conditions we are in.
"There is a willingness to spend what we can but work within PSR limits."