Newcastle United Told to Forget Summer Bid for Clement Grenier

Newcastle United have been dealt an early blow ahead of the summer transfer window after Lyon ruled out the sale of midfielder Clement Grenier.

Following the sale of Yohan Cabaye to Paris Saint Germain for £19m during the January transfer window the Magpies identified France international Grenier as the man capable of filling the void left in their midfield.

Newcastle saw their opening bid for the Lyon star rejected and despite Alan Pardew speaking confidently of securing the midfielder's signature the club were forced to abandon their pursuit after he underlined his intention to remain in France until the end of the season.

A summer offer has been thought to be under consideration but Lyon have firmly ruled out the possibility of Grenier leaving.

"Of course Clement will be with us 100 per cent next season – that's a yes," Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas told Telefoot when asked about bids for his players, Le Sport 10 report. "There is no exit for Clement."

The outspoken Lyon chief also dismissed the possibility of Alexandre Lacazette leaving the club after the forward was linked with moves to Arsenal and Juventus.

"Lacazette will be with us again without a problem next year."

After selling Cabaye to PSG, Newcastle's failure to bring in a replacement helped pave the way for Joe Kinnear to leave his role of director of football. The club did manage to strike a deal for Luuk de Jong on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season, but the Dutchman has failed to match expectations at St James' Park having failed to score since his arrival.

The club are likely to look into the possibility of signing on loan striker Loic Remy on a permanent deal from Queens Park Rangers, but the Frenchman's desire to play for a club competing in Europe could undermine their transfer intentions.

"Clubs are discussing with my agent, I'm open for everything," Remy, who could make his return after a six game absence this weekend against Swansea City, said earlier this month.

"I want to join a great European club, to play at the highest level."