Newcastle’s hopes of overcoming financial strains have suffered a setback as Yankuba Minteh is refusing to join Lyon.
The Magpies need to sell players by 30 June to make sure of avoiding being charged with breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules [PSR], which would almost certainly lead to them being docked points next season.
Newcastle and Lyon had agreed a £40m deal for the Minteh, who spent last season on loan at Feyenoord.
Mail Sport understands personal terms have hit a block with the 19-year-old refusing to join the Ligue 1 side as he wants to stay in the Premier League and join Everton.
Minteh is in fact insistent that he will not be forced into a move despite Newcastle’s desperation to get the deal over the line.
Yankuba Minteh is refusing to join Lyon despite their £40m agreement with Newcastle
The 19-year-old winger is not keen to join Lyon as he wants to stay in the Premier League
Newcastle earlier this week ended their interest in signing Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The Toffees would have only been willing to sell the forward in the event a deal could be struck for Minteh, having offered £30m before Lyon had a £40m bid accepted.
Newcastle are now exploring other swaps and sales as the PSR deadline looms.
Minteh enjoyed a stand out season on loan at Feyenoord in Holland scoring 11 goals – 10 in the league.
He joined Newcastle from Danish side OB last year for £6million and was immediately sent out on loan.
The Gambia international gained Champions League experience and ended the season by winning the Dutch Cup but was sent off in the process.
Minteh told Dutch football magazine Voetbal International in April: ‘Ultimately, the Premier League is my goal. Newcastle United is the club that have a lot of confidence in me. I have no idea what the future looks like.
Everton would have only been willing to sell Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the event a deal could be struck for Minteh
‘I was in Newcastle once, when they played against Borussia Dortmund. I will hear soon what plans the club has for me. I’m still young, I have time, maybe they want to loan me out again.
‘I don’t know yet, I’ll hear about it. I’ll let everything happen to me. I know only that one day I will play in the Premier League (for Newcastle United).’