Ex-Newcastle United defender Olivier Bernard thinks transfer targets like Clement Grenier will be put off by a lack of European football.
Newcastle had a bid rejected for the Lyon midfielder in January and reports have suggested that Alan Pardew has renewed his interest in the 23-year-old.
But Bernard – who started his professional career at Lyon – thinks a possible deal looks unlikely due to an apparent difference in valuation.
In addition, Bernard expects Pardew s close-season recruitment drive to be hampered by missing out on a place in either the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League last term.
For the money that s been spoken about (for Grenier), it s never going to happen, Bernard told the Evening Chronicle.
I think if he goes, it ll be for £20m.
It could even be a Champions League team.
For me it will be a surprise if he goes to Newcastle. Sadly it could be a 90 per cent no for Grenier to Newcastle.
Newcastle finished 10th in the Premier League last season after a push for the top five unravelled at the turn of the year.
Bernard added: The problem at Newcastle has been that when the club did well and finished fifth (in 2011-12) they didn t invest.
Now it s a whole lot harder for them to attract players.
We have not done well enough to attract some of the ambitious players. They want to see a club playing in the Champions League or even the Europa League.
And Newcastle aren t close to that at the moment. I really think the Grenier deal is unlikely.
