Henri Saivet is Newcastle United’s first signing of the January transfer window. The Senegalese midfielder has joined the club from Bordeaux for a fee believed to be around €6million.
The news of Saivet’s move to St James’ Park was broken by Bordeaux manager Willy Sagnol at his press conference.
Bordeaux coach Willy Sagol just told press conf that club has agreed fee w/ @NUFC for Henri #Saivet. Around €6m, via @mohamedbouhafsi
— Ben Lyttleton (@benlyt) January 11, 2016
Saivet has impressed this season since being moved into central midfield by Sagnol. Watford had looked like front-runners to sign him having seen a bid of £7.3million rejected in the summer, but it seems that they didn’t follow up their interest.
Saivet had been deployed as a winger prior to the start of this season and will bring some much-needed pace and power into a lacklustre Newcastle midfield.
It was reported in the Daily Star that Saivet had doubts about joining a side scrapping for Premier League survival, however, he may have been given a clause should Newcastle drop out of the top flight.
The arrival of the former Bordeaux man will give Steve McClaren a huge boost as he looks to get the Magpies in the top flight.
