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£10m Arter price tag will rule Newcastle out of transfer hunt

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OPINION

One of the biggest issues that Rafael Benitez has faced at Newcastle United during the summer transfer window has been the vastly inflated costs of proven Premier League talent – so the opportunity to snap up a 13 cap international for £10million could prove to be a masterstroke.

That is exactly the case with the Magpies’ reported hunt for Bournemouth’s Harry Arter, who the Sun claim is also a target for Cardiff City, Stoke City and Middlesbrough.

With 69 Premier League appearances under his belt, the Republic of Ireland maestro is said to be eyeing the exit from the south coast side courtesy of Jefferson Lerma’s arrival, which will likely limit his first team action – something he is reportedly not willing to sacrifice.

It is stated that a price tag of £10million-plus has been slapped on the 28-year-old’s head, but considering how important he has been to Eddie Howe’s side during their time in the top flight, that is a fee which any side should be looking at exploiting.

With Mikel Merino already out the door and Isaac Hayden said to be eyeing an exit from St James’ Park, Arter, a versatile midfielder who can play in a variety of roles, would be ideal – but that £10million price tag almost certainly rules them out of the hunt courtesy of Mike Ashley.

At 28, he has little resale value – something Ashley appears to value over all else when it comes to transfers – and considering the Magpies have reportedly struggled to spend lower fees for players, his iron grip on the purse strings mean that Newcastle’s hopes of sealing a bargain for Arter are already all but dead.

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