Newcastle have rejected an aggressive double loan approach by Sheffield Wednesday, after the Championship side demanded Rolando Aarons and Achraf Lazaar as part of the compensation package for Steve Bruce, according to The Telegraph.
United are understood to have triggered a release clause in the former Owls boss’ contract, much lower than the reported £4million, but the Hillsborough natives reacted angrily to the Magpies’ statement declaring Bruce as our new head coach.
Rafa Benitez’s successor had informed Wednesday of his decision to quit the second-tier side ahead of his arrival on Tyneside, but Chairman Dejphon Chansiri refused to accept his resignation.
Instead, Chansiri is thought to have issued Newcastle a string of demands on top of his release clause for Bruce to be named our new head coach, which included the loan signings of £450,000-rated Aarons and £900,000-rated Lazaar.
The Owls’ executive further dictated that more players should be on hand to him in the future, while Aarons and Lazaar’s temporary returns to Hillsborough would only see his Championship side pay a small portion of their respective £14,000 and £9,000-a-week contracts.
United rebuffed Chansiri’s demands, though, as the Toon board are confident they have done all they legally need to in order for Bruce to take up his position at St James’ Park.
Wednesday, however, are still seeking legal advice on what steps they can now take in proceedings, having claimed to still be seeking compensation for Bruce and his backroom staff to leave their positions ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.
During their loan spells in the second-tier with Sheffield Wednesday for the second half of last season, Aarons made ten appearances scoring and assisting one goal, while Lazaar featured four times.
Despite not playing a great deal, former Morocco international left-back Lazaar has claimed Bruce saved his career by taking him on loan, and hopes the new Toon boss can have the same effect on his Newcastle future.
“He’s a great manager,” the 27-year-old noted following Bruce’s appointment. “I’m so happy to see him again and work with him, because I think he was one of the people who helped me a lot.
“I’m happy he signed for the club, [and] I can’t wait to see him and to work again with him.”