Midfielder agrees £21m transfer just 24 hours after Newcastle United contract claim
Newcastle United reportedly tried to sign the young midfielder on transfer deadline day.
Patrick Zabi has agreed to join Paris FC, less than 24 hours after it was claimed Newcastle United were set to sign the midfielder.
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During the remaining few hours of transfer deadline day, French publication So Foot reported that the 19-year-old was set to pen a long-term contract with the Magpies before returning to Stade de Reims on loan for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.
Adding credence to those rumours, UK newspaper Daily Mail claimed United had been pushing to secure a deal but ultimately ran out of time.
Patrick Zabi set joined Paris FC despite Newcastle United claims
Newcastle planned to retain their interest ahead of the summer transfer window. However, it is a saga that is over before it barely got started.
Multiple sources in France have revealed that Zabi has agreed a £21.5million summer move to Ligue 1 side Paris FC, which represents a quick and healthy profit for Reims.
It was only last year that the Ligue 2 club signed Zabi from Ivory Coast outfit Ivoire FC for a nominal fee. Zabi has gone to enjoy a breakout campaign, scoring twice and registering three assists in 21 appearances
Eddie Howe reflects on quiet January for Newcastle United
Speaking after the winter transfer window closed, Eddie Howe admitted Newcastle were looking at players regarded as future prospects, a category Zabi falls into. However, senior additions were never close.
Asked if Newcastle were ever close to making a winter signing, Howe replied: “No, I think financially it wasn't possible, as I said right at the start of the window. There may have been players that we were looking at that were for the future, younger players that we could develop, but ultimately nothing happened.
“I didn't think there was going to be a player coming in that was going to affect the first team.
“We're working within the financial restrictions that we have during this window. I think I've always said there's a willingness to spend what we can, but, of course, we have to work within the PSR limits and that's what we're trying to do. But then you have to make a decision with what room you have, whether you can find the right player that fits.
“As I say, we have a short-term need. We have a need for someone to come in and play now, especially defensively. but for those players, it costs money and there's a level of funds attached to their ability that we can't reach at the moment.”