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Lyon deny being at fault for collapse of Newcastle Bafetimbi Gomis deal
NEWCASTLE'S move for Bafetimbi Gomis is in doubt after Lyon's president complained of people "behind the scenes" jeopardising the deal.
Newcastle had hoped to pair Gomis with new loan signing Loic Remy up front next season, but the move now looks unlikely to go ahead because of interference from third parties associated with the player.
Speaking to France Football Jean-Michel Aulas said: "I am very disappointed that a deal has not been signed with Newcastle.
"I am very pessimistic. It seems like there is someone pulling the strings behind the scenes."
Over the weekend Joe Kinnear expressed his frustration over an inability to complete a deal for Gomis saying: "The Gomis deal was agreed on numerous occasions but it's a very difficult situation because there's always extra add-ons, extra things, another problem."
But Aulas has hit out at claims that Lyon's demands are what caused the deal to stall.
He added: "Even though the situation is difficult, we respect the player. He is in the final year of his contract.
"There are a number of excessive demands that have made Newcastle hesitant, especially regarding compensation for agents and third parties. If it is not possible to find a middle ground on this, then we will have to change tack."
Aulas even claims that Lyon were even willing to accept a lower transfer fee from Newcastle, thought to be in the region of £6.8m, than other offers they received, including from Swansea and Cardiff.
He said: "The transfer fee that we negotiated is much lower than we had negotiated this winter with Rubin Kazan and more recently with two Welsh clubs - Cardiff and Swansea.
"We have done our best. If things don't change we will have to ask the question about whether or not he wants to extend his contract and stay at OL."
And Lyon manager Remi Garde stressed that he could still incorporate Gomis into his plans for the upcoming season.
Garde said: "I have no more problems with Bafe than I have with any of the others. I will adapt (if he stays)."