Newcastle United keen on Digne
Newcastle United are looking to strengthen their squad when the transfer window reopens in January, and Eddie Howe has already identified two potential targets for the Magpies.
According to a report via Team talk, Newcastle are keen on signing the 28-year-old Everton defender Lucas Digne.
The Frenchman has fallen out of favour with manager Rafael Benitez after a training ground bust-up, and the Magpies are looking to snap him up.
The defender is likely to cost around £25 million, and it will be interesting to see if the Magpies are willing to fork out that kind of money for the French international.
Digne has proven his quality in the Premier League over the last few seasons, and the Frenchman is undoubtedly one of the best left-backs when he is on form.
The club’s new owners certainly have the financial clout to pull off the transfer, and it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds over the next few weeks.
Premier League giants Chelsea are keeping tabs on the Everton defender as well. It remains to be seen whether Newcastle can fend off the competition from the Blues and secure the Frenchman’s signature next month.
Samuel Umtiti on Howe’s radar
Another name on the Newcastle shortlist is that of the Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti.
The World Cup winner has fallen down the pecking order at Barcelona, and he is no longer a starter for them.
The defender is valued at around £17 million, and it will be interesting to see if Newcastle can provide him with an exit route next month.
The magpies need to improve their back four in order to finish the season strongly, and signing the likes of Umtiti and Digne could improve them.
Both players need to leave their respective clubs in January in order to play more regularly, and a move to Newcastle wouldn’t be a bad option for them.
