Rolando Aaron’s move to Panathinaikos is at risk of collapsing over Newcastle United’s demand over the forward’s wage, according to the Chronicle.
The Magpies are said to be insistent that the Greek Super League side take over a percentage of Aarons’ £14,000-a-week contract, as they look to offer the Kingston, Jamaica-born winger a route out of Tyneside after he was omitted from Steve Bruce’s first Premier League squad.
Panathinaikos have long been linked with a move for the Toon product, with contact first thought to have been made between our two clubs in June, when Shamrock Technical Director Nikolaos Dabizas and manager Georgios Donis met to discuss options they could target to add pace to their wings.
The Athens Olympic Stadium natives are in an awful financial situation, however, and cannot afford to spend large sums in the market as they chase their first Super League crown since 2009/10.
Panathinaikos have until August 31 to reach an agreement with Newcastle over what percentage of Aaron’s wage they are willing to take responsibility of, otherwise the deal could collapse, leaving the 23-year-old facing reserve team football unless another route away from St James’ Park emerges in the next few weeks.
United are pushing to offload as much of Aarons’ contract as possible, with the club facing a £125,000 weekly bill for wages of players that will not be eligible for Premier League action until the New Year.
Unnamed Scottish outfits are thought to be interested in striking late deals for Jack Colback and Jamie Sterry, but are yet to reach an agreement for either, with Colback hesitant to leave Tyneside inside the final year of his contract.
Achraf Lazaar is yet to reach an agreement with any of the Serie A outfits he has held discussions with recently, as well, while Henri Saivet has returned to an uncertain future at Darsley Park follwing an extended break on the back of the Africa Cup of Nations.