Alban Lafont and Tolgay Arslan deals would prove Newcastle United have ambition

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Premier League relegation dodgers Newcastle United didn’t spend a penny bringing new players to St James’ Park in the January transfer window

Newcastle United failed to complete a single permanent signing during the January transfer window, with Mike Ashley failing to open up his wallet despite the Magpies’ position in the Premier League.

Ashley has been open about his supposed inability to compete with Premier League rivals for big-money transfers, the likes of Nicolai Jorgensen proving too expensive, but recent reports suggest that Newcastle could yet show a bit more drive in the summer window should Rafa Benitez succeed in keeping them in the Premier League.

L’Equipe has reported that Newcastle are one of the sides interested in France’s answer to Gianluigi Donnarumma, the 19-year-old Toulouse goalkeeper Alban Lafont.

He has been the club’s number one ever since he became Ligue 1’s youngest ever shot-stopper at the age of 16 and is without doubt one of the planet’s best young net-guarders.

Serious competition

Newcastle are facing substantial competition for a player who will cost more than £10 million, with L’Equipe adding that Roma and Napoli are keen while Lafont has also been tipped to replace the declining Petr Cech at Arsenal.

And, to add to this, Haberler is reporting that Newcastle want to strengthen their midfield too with Besiktas’ two-time Super Lig winning enforcer Tolgay Arslan.

The 27-year-old is a perfect blend of technique and tenacity and would give the Magpies real depth and quality in the centre of the park. To sign a player of real Champions League calibre, however, the report states they will have to beat Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund to his signature.

Just imagine if Newcastle seal deals for one of Europe’s best young goalkeepers and a midfielder wanted by a huge continental behemoth. That would go some way to proving their ambition.