Angers president Said Chabane is thrilled to retain the services of ‘diamond’ Angelo Fulgini after moves to Premier League duo Crystal Palace or Newcastle United failed to materialise, writing on Twitter.
If Palace emerged from a frantic transfer window looking very different indeed – their ‘glow up’ completed by the deadline day arrival of the prolific Odsonne Edouard – Steve Bruce’s Newcastle squad arguably looks weaker now than it did at the end of May, a tired, pale imitation of it’s former self.
Joe Willock’s return on a £25 million deal was obviously a massive boost.
It was the former Arsenal youngster who almost single-handedly kept the club in the Premier League last term after all, scoring eight goals in just 11 starts over a four month spell.
It seems fanciful to suggest that Willock can maintain that form over the entirety of the current campaign, however, meaning Newcastle will once again be indebted to the individual brilliance of an Allan Saint-Maximin, a Callum Wilson or a Martin Dubravka if they are to escape the drop yet again.
And, with owner Mike Ashley either unwilling or unable to invest in a rather threadbare squad, it always seemed unlikely that these disillusioned supporters were going to see Angelo Fulgini bring his twinkle-toed, defence-splitting ways to Tyneside.
Should a Premier League club have bought Angelo Fulgini?
According to The Mail, Newcastle and Crystal Palace both showed an interested in a balletic attacking midfielder who produced ten goals and four assists for an unfancied Angers outfit in 2020/21.
But the surprise Ligue 1 pacesetters will now be looking to maintain their superb start to the new campaign with Fulgini pulling the strings from his favoured number ten position.
“A diamond remains at Angers,” said a clearly thrilled Chabane, having previously insisted that Fulgini ‘won’t leave for less than 15 million euros (£13 million)’.
Once Michael Olise and Ebere Eze return from injury, Palace should have enough creativity to provide Edouard with chances.
And with Saint-Maximin, Wilson and Willock still around, it already looks like another season of treading water for Newcastle. Bruce might have just enough quality to keep the wolf from the door.
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