Newcastle United fans may have been watching developments surrounding Sead Kolasinac quite closely this month.
Not because they wanted the seldom-seen Serb to rock up at St James’ Park however.
Kolasinac may be an upgrade on Matt Ritchie – by virtue of actually being a left-back – but the Arsenal misfit is not exactly the kind of headline-making marquee signing many on Tyneside were dreaming off when a throng of Saudi Arabian billionaires chased Mike Ashley out of town.
But if Newcastle do succeed in bringing in a new left-sided defender before the February transfer deadline – and that is understood to be on the agenda – they may owe a debt of gratitude to their London-based Premier League rivals.
Have Arsenal just given Newcastle a helping hand?
Following six months of inactivity, Kolasinac was finally put out of his misery in midweek. Arsenal terminated his £100,000-a-week contract, allowing the long-serving defender to join Marseille on a free transfer.
So where do Newcastle come in?
Well, Kolasinac was not the only left-back on L’OM’s hitlist. And it just so happens that Marseille’s back-up option, Nicolas Tagliafico, also has admirers at St James’ Park.
One presumes, with Kolasinac now getting used to his new surroundings in southern France, Tagliafico won’t be joining him anytime soon.
Tagliafico to Newcastle?
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Tagliafico’s agent travelled to Amsterdam this week for crunch talks with reigning Eredivisie champions Ajax.
A regular fixture in Erik Ten Hag’s XI in recent seasons, the diminutive Argentine has started just two of 19 league games this season. He has the stellar form of Daley Blind to thank for that.
A substantial pay-rise could twist his arm, of course. The Mail reports that Newcastle are fans of the 29-year-old, who has just 18 months left on his Ajax contract.
He is now available for a cut-price £10 million.
Is Newcastle the most likely destination?
Aston Villa were also keen. But they, like Marseille, turned their attention elsewhere, taking advantage of the latest drama enveloping Everton to snatch Lucas Digne.
So that’s Marseille and Aston Villa out of the picture.
And, as far as Ajax director Marc Overmars is concerned, no one at the Johan Cruyff Arena will stand in Tagliafico’s way should an acceptable offer arrive.
“A departure for Nicolas Tagliafico and David Neres would make sense. It is no secret that they are open to a transfer,” Overmars admitted.
“Outgoing transfers are an important part of our income.”
Neres is gone, joining Shakhtar Donetsk this month. Tagliafico could be about to follow.
Napoli are still in the contention for Tagliafico’s signature (TMW).
But, right now, it feels like a two-horse race. Rather than the crowded, Grand National-style pursuit it the battle for Tagliafico was expected to become.
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